The Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will be marching in the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
This is the first time that the WCU band has been invited to the Macy’s Parade.
“When you are the best band in the land you have to share it with the nation,” said Chancellor David O. Belcher during the announcement in the University Center theater on Thursday, April 25. The band students in attendance cheered with excitement while confetti filled the room.
The buildup of excitement began late Wednesday afternoon when emails and announcements were sent to Pride of the Mountains Marching Band members and student media organizations by Bill Studenc, Director of WCU News Services. The email read, “We invite you to cover a major announcement that will directly (and positively) affect the lives of several hundred fellow WCU students.” Many students were pondering what it could possibly be and some were even guessing that the band would be marching at Disney World.
WCU’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band performed at the Rose Bowl Parade in 2012 but have been trying to top one of their most prestigious moments in marching band history. The band was also the 2009 Sudler Trophy recepient on behalf of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. They have performed at the 2011 Regional Bands of America in Atlanta and the 2012 Super Regional in Indianapolis.
Ben Haines, Christina Jackson and James North contributed to this story.
