West Chester University Marching Band headed west to Tournament of Roses Parade

WEST CHESTER — West Chester University students will be celebrating the 2024 New Year in California.

More than 300 members of the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band will be performing in the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.

The band welcomed and marched for Alex Aghajanian, president and chairman of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, on campus this weekend.

On Saturday, at halftime of the WCU/Gannon University football game at Farrell Stadium, the band unveiled “In Bloom” during the Rose Parade Kick-off for the university’s Rose Parade Day celebration.

Twenty-one marching bands will perform on Pasadena streets, including musicians from Sweden, Costa Rica, England and Japan, with the theme, Celebrating a World of Music.

Aghajanian said WCU’s Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band was chosen by the music committee, and ultimately by him and his wife Paula, to participate due to the band’s musicality, performance, the support behind the band and its elements of creativity.

“Music is a universal language that we can all celebrate together,” Aghajanian said. “We may not speak the same language but we can certainly tap out a rhythm together. Let the music begin.”

Artistic Director of Choreography and Design for WCU’s Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band, Todd Marcocci, is excited to make the trip to California. He has participated in the Tournament of Roses parade in the past.

“You really understand what a million people look like,” he said about all those spectators.

Marcocci also said that the students can watch the parade over and over again in their hotel rooms since a local TV station broadcasts a replay five more times on New Year’s Day.

Marcocci noted that the band will be making history in several ways.

Thirty 14-foot tall flags will tell the story of Chester County and the region. Parade watchers will see flags, including those depicting Independence Hall, the LOVE Statue, the Rocky Statue, Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, the Liberty Bell and Valley Forge.

WCU will be the first university marching band to have seven mini-floats highlighting the area. They will be made from dry goods, cranberry seeds, yellow split peas, onion seeds, hot pepper flakes and flaxseed.

WCU is the first university from Pennsylvania’s State System ofHigher Education (PASSHE) to ever march in the iconic parade.

“Most people think marching bands just come down the street,” Marcocci said. “I want the band to be special and remembered forever.”

During History on Parade, the band will play “The Rocky Theme,” “Philadelphia Freedom” and “The Liberty Bell March.”

Adam Gumble is the Director of Athletic Bands and the WCU marching band. He is looking forward to the trip.

“Any time you have the opportunity to take 340 of your closest friends that represent an incredibly special place like West Chester University to perform in front of an international audience of millions it provides an incredible amount of excitement,” Gumble said.

Susan Hanley, of Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, presented a book about Longwood Gardens to Aghajanian after saying she got goosebumps and the world was in for a big treat.

Angela Hess represented Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and said that this was an amazing opportunity for the students and university, after presenting the Tournament of Roses president with a replica Liberty Bell.

“All eyes from America and the world will be watching you,” Hess said.

Marcocci noted that the WCU band is celebrating its 134th anniversary during the 135th anniversary of the parade.

Students will fly out on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and fly home on Tuesday, Jan. 2. The Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band will perform at Band Fest, with all the other participating bands and throughout Disneyland.

The university has raised $865,000 toward a million-dollar goal to support the band’s appearance in the Rose Parade. All costs for the students and the shipping of equipment will be included.

Deb Cornelius is executive director of the WCU Foundation and is taking the trip to California.

“Our band is well respected by the alumni,” she said. “WCU has a significant number of first-generation students and students who have never traveled before.

“This trip is impactful in many ways.”

Fans can help the band make the “Road-to-the Roses” journey by contributing gifts at www.wcufoundation.org/ramband