Painter: ‘Can’t stop the rock’

Painter: ‘Can’t stop the rock’

In the third of four sets in the WCU marching band field show “Rock U,” an electronic- sounding voice can be heard over the group announcing that they just “can’t stop the rock.” Behind the voice is Dustin Painter, an electronics coordinator who not only sings through...
Band attracts future music educators

Band attracts future music educators

The Rose Parade will not be the first time on the international stage for Snellville, Ga., native Daryll Victorio, a graduate student studying music education at Western Carolina University who suspects he is the oldest member of the Pride of the Mountains Marching...

A marching band with electric guitars

Andrew J. Malanowski said three things brought him to Western Carolina University – a chance to major in commercial and electronic music, a multimillion dollar recording studio and the fact that WCU’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band features guitars in its...

Parade helps inspire bandsman to get in shape

Cole Watkins, a senior psychology major from Charlotte who plays mellophone in the band, lost 65 pounds after he began a daily routine of running to prepare to march in the 5-and-a-half mile Rose Parade. “In the parade, endurance is a big factor. I figured I would...
Vocalist: ‘It’s like a rush of energy’

Vocalist: ‘It’s like a rush of energy’

The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band Director, Bob Buckner, has such a great ear that he can always tell when Whitney Collins runs a little flat or sharp when she sings part of “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” on a giant letter “U” during the 2010 field show...