The West Virginia University Marching Band will kick off the 2011 season with a trip to southwestern West Virginia, and a performance at the new Mingo Central High School in Mingo County Friday evening Aug. 26.

The performance by the “Pride of West Virginia”, as the band is known, will take place right before the season-opening football game between Mingo Central and Wyoming East, slated for 7:30 p.m. It will be the first performance at the school’s newly constructed athletic facility.

Mingo Central is a consolidation of Burch, Gilbert, Matewan and Williamson high schools.

“We are extremely excited to be able to take our show to the southwestern part of West Virginia, and perform for the fine folks there,” said Jay Drury, Mountaineer Marching Band director. “To be able to perform in conjunction with the opening of the high school football season, and at a new school and athletic facility, is truly special for the band members. What a great way to begin the season!”

The award-winning WVU Marching Band enjoys the reputation as one of the outstanding organizations on campus, and one of the premier collegiate marching bands in the country. This year’s band has approximately 370 members. Most of the students in the band come from various states up and down the East Coast. These students are enrolled in the various colleges at the University, and represent almost every major the University offers.

The Mountaineer Marching Band is known for its high-energy performances, outstanding musical arrangements and innovative drill moves. Because of its tradition of excellence, the WVU Band was recognized in 1997 as the country’s outstanding college marching band by being named the recipient of the Sudler Trophy, awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

“The College of Creative Arts is pleased and proud to be included in this celebration in Mingo County,” said Paul Kreider, dean of the college. “Furthermore, this will be an exciting experience and celebration for our students.”

The band’s trip to Mingo County is being made possible through the generosity of an individual’s gift to the WVU Foundation’s Pride Travel Fund campaign, now under way. Since 2007, contributions to the Fund have enabled the band to travel to many locations across the state, as well as away football games at LSU, Auburn, Syracuse, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Louisville and Marshall.

This fall, the band plans to travel to away games at Rutgers and Cincinnati, as well as locations around the state and region for concert and exhibition performances.

To make a donation or learn more about the Pride Travel Fund, visit: www.PrideTravelFund.com or call the WVU Foundation, 304-284-4000.

-WVUF-

bn/08/18/2011

CONTACT: Jay Drury, WVU Marching Band
304.293.3097; jay.drury@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.