VIC FIRTH SPOTLIGHT:
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS DRUMLINE

The WCU Pride of the Mountains Drumline has been consistently known as one of the most innovative and entertaining Marching Percussion groups in the Southeast. Current and past members of the ensemble are extremely active within the marching activity and many of the current members are majoring in music education, music industry, and commercial and electronic music. The Pride of the Mountains Marching band gratuates members each year into positions as music educators, percussion specialists and clinicians, performers, studio technicians and many more industry positions. The band is made up of students representing over forty majors ranging from Accounting to Zoology. In fact 68% of the band members are not music majors, although more than one hundred current members are honing their musical skills in the band en route to becoming music educators. Every component of the music department is represented in the ensemble. This lineup includes vocalists, guitarists, bassists, percussionists, and pianists, along with the standard instrumentation of marching wind musicians. Currently the largest band in the Carolinas and Tennessee, The WCU Marching Band has distinguished itself throughout the Southeast and indeed the United States with their innovative and energetic performances. Often described as the “world’s largest funk band” this ensemble specializes in bringing music to the field that most bands find inaccessible. In 1991 the band numbered 88 total members, including 18 dancers. Since that time the band has experienced a steady growth to its present membership level of approximately 357 members! Please take a minute to visit www.prideofthemountains.com for more info about the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band!

PERFORMANCE SPOTLIGHT: Work It!  VFU SPOTLIGHT: The WCU Pride of the Mountains Drumline   The Western Carolina University performs Work It! Parts I and II. HIGH BANDWIDTH MEDIUM BANDWIDTH  NEW VFU SPOTLIGHT: The WCU Pride of the Mountains Drumline   The Western Carolina University performs Work It! Parts III and IV. HIGH BANDWIDTH MEDIUM BANDWIDTH MORE VIDEO: Check out these clips from the WCU drumline!  2008 BOA Grand Nationals - Clip #1 HIGH MEDIUM  2008 BOA Grand Nationals - Clip #2 HIGH MEDIUM  2008 BOA Grand Nationals - Clip #3 HIGH MEDIUM  Performance Spotlight: VFU 2007 HIGH    Performance Spotlight: "Walk This Way", "I Like to Move It" HIGH    Performance Spotlight: "Crazy Train" HIGH   For more about the WCU Drumline including audition information visit them online at: www.prideofthemountains.com

Mr. Matt Henley is a double graduate of Western Carolina University, receiving a BA in Music in 1993 and an MA in Music in 1995. Among his credits he has played with, instructed, and written for such groups as the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, the Limestone College Percussion Studio, the Tuscola High School Percussion Program, Kamehameha High School in Hawaii, Showband Gifhorn in Germany, and the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the Chief Percussion Judge for the Carolina Indoor Performance Association in 2000 and remains very active as an adjudicator for indoor percussion events across the country. In addition to his teaching duties, he composes, arranges, adjudicates, and is a prominent percussion clinician in the southeast. Mr. Henley is a member of MENC, IARP, PAS, CBDNA, and proudly supports Vic Firth, Remo, Zildjian, and Yamaha products. His service to the “Pride of the Mountains” began in 1991 as a student and has continued through his appointment as the Assistant Director of the band.  Matt is also responsible for all aspects of the marching percussion program at Western Carolina University.

Jon Henson is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Some of his primary duties are to instruct and arrange for the rhythm section or "Soul Train" and serve as the primary instructor for the front ensemble. Some of Jon's other duties include the management of all aspects of the "Pride of the Mountains" Electronics as well as developing media for the band program. He also works with the "Pride of the Mountains" two “Cathouse Bands.” Within the School of Music Jon teaches courses in Music Technology. During the spring semester he serves as Director of "Electric Soul". This ensemble consists of Vocalist, Horns, and a full Rhythm Section performing music from the 70's to the music of today! Outside of the "Pride of the Mountains" Jon is a sought after percussion writer, adjudicator, and instructor for bands across the South East. He earned both his BSEd and MAEd degrees in music from Western Carolina University. Jon is a member of MENC, PAS, CBDNA, and is a Vic-Firth and Remo endorsed artist.

The WCU Drumline use Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets Exclusively.

HERE'S A SELECTION OF WCU's PRODUCT CHOICES:

		Multi-Application Series Keyboard Mallets A versatile line of mallets that offers excellent choices for virtually any musical situation. Great for drum corps, marching band, indoor marching, concert and solo playing and featuring 100% synthetic yarn and cord for maximum durability and weather resistance.
		Corpsmaster® Marching Bass Drum Mallets Corpsmaster® marching bass mallets feature tapered hickory shafts, which shift the weight of the stick towards the hand for improved balance and control.