March 3, 2023
“National Marching Music Day” Celebrated by WCU’s Golden Rams Marching Band 
“National Marching Music Day” on March 4 is drumming up lots of interest on campus this year as West Chester University’s “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams prepare to “march forth” in the preeminent Rose Parade ® on Monday, January 1, 2024. “National Marching Music Day” serves as an annual day to honor the dedicated musicians, composers, and performers of marching music throughout the U.S. The annual day will have special meaning this year for all Golden Rams.
Members of the INCOMPARABLE Golden Rams Marching Band and Wells School of Music faculty and administrators are busily preparing, strategizing, and fundraising for the engagement. Four faculty and staff members attended the 2023 Rose Parade to learn best practices and gain information about all aspects of the Rose Parade. The visit put the event's magnitude in perspective and motivated the Marching Band’s creative team to develop program ideas that will allow WCU students to shine on the largest parade stage in the world.
To fund travel expenses for the band’s 330 members, West Chester University has launched the RamBand Road to the Roses initiative, which aims to raise $1 Million. To date, almost $275,000 has been raised. Those who want to support the band’s efforts are invited to visit www.wcufoundation.org/ramband.
Director of Athletic Bands Adam Gumble says, “Supporting the RamBand Road to the Roses initiative is a golden opportunity to help us represent our University and the greater West Chester community in front of an audience of millions as we march down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day!”
In December it was announced that WCU’s marching band would perform on one of the world’s largest stages when they take to Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, for the annual Rose Parade. This event will put West Chester University in front of 750,000 people along the parade route and over 30 million television viewers around the globe!
Gumble says, “Marching in the Rose Parade has been a longtime goal of the INCOMPARABLE Golden Rams Marching Band. The highly competitive selection process means that only the world’s best marching bands are invited to perform. We want to thank our INCOMPARABLE friends, family, and alumni for their unyielding support that continues to motivate our program forward!”
Grace Kerr, a current junior and member of the INCOMPARABLE Golden Rams says, “When I found out that the band would be marching in the Rose Parade, I was so excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being able to do it during my senior year with the band I love and as drum major makes it all the more special. It is a remarkable way to close out my four years at West Chester University.”
The West Chester University INCOMPARABLE Golden Rams Marching Band is a group of 300+ students that proudly represents West Chester University and the greater West Chester community. Comprised of students from more than 60 different majors, the marching band involves students from every segment of the campus population and is the largest student organization on campus. In addition to performing at local and regional parades and exhibitions, the "RamBand" has performed at prestigious events including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nashville Christmas Parade, National Football League games, Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade, and Bands of America Regional and Grand National Championships! The West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band has earned a national reputation as a leader in the marching arts and was named the recipient of the 2019 Sudler Trophy. The Sudler Trophy is presented biannually to a university marching band that demonstrates the highest standards of music performance, precision marching, and innovation in show design and is considered the "Heisman Trophy" for college marching bands. West Chester University is one of only 32 schools in the United States and the first NCAA Division II School to receive the award!
The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration® with the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 volunteer members supply more than 80,000 hours of manpower, which will drive the success of the 135th Rose Parade, on Monday, January 1, 2024, followed by the 110th Rose Bowl Game. For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com.