‘INCOMPARABLE:’ West Chester University’s Golden Rams marching band debuts in 135th Rose Parade
West Chester University’s “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Marching Band made history by becoming the first marching band within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to participate in the iconic 135th Rose Parade on Monday, January 1, 2024.
The band and its 330plus members used over 20,000 live flowers as part of their performance.
Bringing a little bit of “Philly” with them, the band’s floral extravaganza also paid homage to the Philadelphia and Chester County regions through Philly-themed rolling paneled floats made of all-natural materials including parsley, split pea, hot pepper flakes, rice, and cranberry seed):
• Love Statue
• Independence Hall
• Liberty Bell
• West Chester University’s Ram Mascot and Music Notes
• A 30-flag mural displayed historical and iconic images of the Philadelphia region including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Love Statue, the Rocky Statue, Valley Forge Park, the Longwood Garden fountains, Brandywine Battlefield, Lenape Nation, and of course, West Chester University. The band played both the “Theme from Rocky” and “Philadelphia Freedom,” and also the “Liberty Bell March”
• An all-floral (dried) University Seal made of rice and purple statice.
• An all-floral Lead Banner that read “WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY” made of orange lentil, crushed yellow straw flowers, and tens of thousands of small purple statice flowers enhanced with live eggplant skin and purple button mums.
West Chester University’s “Road to the Roses” initiative, launched in late 2022, successfully raised over $1 Million to cover the necessary travel expenses for the band’s members.
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.