Marching Band: History

Marching Band Facts

The Marching Band was established in 1930 under the leadership of Edward Zimmer Junior and S. Powell Middleton
Subsequent directors include Paul Carson (1964-1966), Richard Boerlin (1966-1968), James R. Wells, (1968-1992), John Villella (1992-2007), Andrew Yozviak (2007-present)
A color guard was added to the band in 1970 and women were allowed to participate in the group for the first time in 1974
The band currently consists of 250 musicians and 50 color guard members
The group is a corps-style marching band that has throughout its history, defined and maintained current trends in the marching activity
In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of his birth, the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band proudly presents a light-hearted tribute to Samuel Barber in their 2010 Field Show, Barber!
The band performs regularly at WCU football games and in exhibition at numerous regional marching contests
The band has performed in exhibition at Bands of America Grand National Championships and Regional Championship performances, during Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers football games, Philadephia Phillies World Series appearances, and marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the ‘We the People’ Parade and Thanksgiving Day Parades in Philadelphia.

In 2009 the marching band was invited to perform at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN. Two university bands from across the nation were invited – West Chester University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
We were honored to be counted as one of only two college bands in the country invited to participate in the event. Our students could not have been more excited when they took the field to perform in Lucas Oil Stadium. Unsurprisingly, the band performed two outstanding shows that brought the more than 30,000 spectators in attendance to their feet. The reception for the group was overwhelming and many members were brought to tears by the energy generated in the stadium.
Additionally, our band members were able to witness an often-unseen level of performance from the 90 high school bands that competed throughout the weekend’s events. For many of our students who are preparing for careers in music education, this experience will serve as a model for what they will strive to emulate in their own programs.

Approximately 500 Undergraduates are enrolled in Music Performance, Music Education, Jazz Performance, Composition, and Elective Studies programs
In addition to the Marching Band, the School supports a Wind Ensemble, two concert bands, a Chamber Winds group and a Symphony Orchestra
Masters degrees are offered in Music Performance, Music Education, Conducting, Music Technology, Music Composition, Music History, and Piano Pedagogy
The Swope Music Building opened in the Spring of 2007 and features the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, the Gates Recital Hall and state of the art technology, composition and listening labs to enrich the experience of our music students.

One of the 14 universities that comprise Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
A public, regional, comprehensive institution, founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation. In addition to education, which is the most popular major today, music instruction has been part of the school’s curriculum since its founding.
Approximately 14,000 students: 2,137 graduate and 11,484 undergraduate. (Fall 2008).
Organized into five Colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business and Public Affairs; Education; Health Sciences; and Visual and Performing Arts.
Currently offers more than 80 undergraduate and 70 master’s degree programs taught by 568 full-time and 149 part-time faculty. (Fall 2008).
Students are drawn primarily from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. In total, students come from 32 different states and 29 different countries.