Western Mustang Band

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Western Mustang Band

The Western Mustang (Marching) Band (WMB) is the award-winning marching band and pep band for the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. Its legacy began in 1938 with music faculty alumnus Don Wright (for whom the faculty is now named) and has thrived since then into the band of today. The band is comprised of brass, percussion, and woodwind instruments played by students from every faculty on campus, and is lead by a colour guard and drum major.

Unlike many American universities, it is not common for Canadian universities to have marching or pep bands and as such, the Western Mustang Band is a unique asset to the University. There is only one other university-level marching band in Canada, the Queen's Bands of Queen's University; the two meet head-to-head every football season, and at the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.

The Western Mustang Band plays at every home football game at TD Waterhouse Stadium providing musical interlude between plays, playing half-time and pre-game shows, as well as leading the crowd in the Western Song when the Mustangs score. The band also provides music at many basketball and hockey games. During Homecoming, the WMB leads the Homecoming Parade through the streets of London returning to Western for the Homecoming football game.

Other band activities include a variety of Santa Claus parades, orientation week activities, and social events for the University and the community at large.