The Band is Coming! This statement marks the beginning of things. As a small child, I can remember the excitement of standing on the street corner waiting for a parade and the electricity that ran through the crowd as we heard the drums in the distance.
It is August, and a new year is about to begin at West Virginia Wesleyan College. And, next Saturday The Band is Coming! The 2018 WVWC Bobcat Band will be arriving to prepare their show (Music from the Incredibles). The drums will be beating, the sounds of music will fill the air, the flags will wave.
Marching band at WVWC has had an interesting history. Although instrumental music groups the early years of the college were generally more in the form of an Orchestra, the 1915 catalog does begin to include band as well (although not necesarily in marching form.)
The 1912 band was organized by Flavius Fay Smith, from Fairmont, who graduated from WVWC in the class of 1916. Student organized. Student led. Student enthusiasm.
With the graduation of Fay Smith, the world in turmoil throughout World War I , and the Great Depression, the band had its ups and downs. The Orchestra kept going strong, as it was part of the curriculum.
In the October 3, 1934 issue of the Pharos, a letter to the editor indicates that there was still a desire and a need for a band.
The competent instructor mentioned in this article is actually C. Lawrence Kingsbury, WVWC Class of 1935, who was an Instructor in the Music Department. (He later went on to get his Ed.D. in Music from the University of Indiana and to become the Chairman of the Music Department there, and also at Marshall University.) Again, students past and present provide great leadership.
1940s
The 1940 Marching Band was led onto the field by Drum Major Ronald Sleeth, future president of the college, and Drum Majorette Gloria Harvey.
1950s
The 1955 Band had a great time and added to school spirit under the direction of C. Buell Agey, according to the Murmurmontis.
1960
The 45 member band, under the direction of Assistant Professor Owen West presented four shows that year. Apparently Professor West loved to design and name shows.
- Half-time in Blue
- Salute to the 49th and 50th States
- Around the World
- Music, Music, Music
They had a busy schedule and high hopes.
The Milburn Years 1970s through early 2000s
The 1966 arrival of David Milburn, known to his earlier students as Slide and later students as Doc, coincided with the growing popularity of Jazz Music. This was evident in the selections of music chosen for the marching band shows.
1968
- Goin’ Out of My Head
- Windy
- Up, Up and Away
1969
- Joshua
- Swing Low
- When the Saints Go Marching In
1970
- Witchcraft
- America
In 1970, the October 6th issue of the Pharos tells us that the band is limited due to uniforms. David Milburn says that the 60 member band could easily become a 100 member band if there were enough uniforms.
Even with the shortages of uniforms, the band grew and was very successful. In 1973, they were the Honor Band at the Mountain State Forest Festival. Their sound was described as “Tremendous.”
By 1975, the band was marching 80 people, dressed in a different type of uniform. This was followed by a band for the next few years who took the field sporting jeans and Polo Shirts.
The 1977 season featured songs that brought the crowds at football games to their feet:
- Old Days (by Chicago)
- Ease on Down the Road (from The Wiz)
- Beethoven’s 5th “Rock Style”
The band was honored that year when President Ronald Sleeth (former Drum Major) came by and conducted the Wesleyan Fight Song in the Stands.
35 Year Marching Band Drought
Due to many factors, the band did not field a Marching Band again for many years. It was not due to a lack of interest on the part of students. The music program in general was very healthy and robust, especially in the area of Jazz and Choral Music. The band continued to sit in the stands at football games, although in fewer numbers.
And then came Logan Lindsey in 2014.
In 2014, the decision was made to revitalize the Marching Band. They started small that year, with 25 students, but have shown steady growth, enthusiasm, talent, and downright passion. This year they will field about 90. Yes, they are still in search of uniforms, but their sound is intense and electrifying. Their show is the music from the Incredibles. And I have NO doubt that the term will be fitting.
Here is a video from their Facebook Page, showing them as the honor band at the Fairmont Band Spectacular last fall. The crowd had just seen 18 excellent high school bands in fancy uniforms. They were tired, and probably all ready to head home. Probaby a 19th band was a bit of a stretch for their patience. But the WVWC Bobcat Marching Band did not disappoint!
The WVWC Band had already had a busy day. They had played pregame concerts, home football game halftime, and pep music in the stands for a home game in Buckhannon. Then they headed to Fairmont, watched (and cheered for) all of those bands, and still managed to be amazing.
The girl sitting in front of me that evening said that she was considering going to WVWC, but only “if the band was any good.” She watched and cheered and got very excited about this performance. Maybe she will be among those gathering for Band Camp next Saturday. I hope so!
I think that Flavius Fay Smith who was from Fairmont, WV (and who organized the first WVWC band in 1912) was probably cheering somewhere in those stands at the Fairmont Band Spectacular as well!
The Band Is Coming!
Update 2022-03-04
Logan Lindsey left in 2019 to pursue his dream of performance music. During his time at WVWC, the band was invigorated and grew. New uniforms were purchased!
David Blon was appointed the Director of Athletic Bands in June of 2020, and led the group through the very difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is an article about him from MyBuckhannon June 23, 2020. He was here until May 2021, when he left to join the band and orchestra faculty at Purdue University.
In July 2021, Scott M. Miller arrived at WVWC to serve as the Director of Athletic Bands. Here is an article about him from wvnews.com.
The music goes on!
Update: July 19, 2022
Ron Sleeth
Ronald Sleeth was the Drum Major for four seasons: 1939, 1940, 1941, and 1942.
Right after that, there is no record of a marching band in the Murmurmontis in 1943 and it was not published in 1944, 1945, or 1946 due to World War II.
While at WVWC, Ron Sleeth was active in many areas of campus, showing great leadership along the way. Among his accomplishments and activities Ron was President of his class in 1938, President of Playshop in 1942, sang in the choir, played intramural sports, and worked on the Pharos staff.
After his graduation, he went on to receive his Divinity Degree from Yale University in 1947. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy from 1945-46, and came back to WVWC to teach Speech from 1946-48. He became an ordained Methodist Elder in 1947 before returning to academia to earn his masters and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. In 1976-77, he came back to WVWC once again to serve as the president of the college. Realizing that administration was not his passion, he stepped down after one year to go back to teaching and writing.
A true leader. Read more about him here.
After the war, various others served in student leadership capacity for a year or two, and under such titles a student director, drum major, and drum majorette. Each one had a different story about how they came to be chosen, different leadership styles, and different skills.
Jude Gore
Jude Gore was the Drum Major of the Bobcat Marching band for four seasons: 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977. Right after that, the marching band ceased to exist for 34 years. There was an upswing (pun intended) in interest for the Jazz Band, and that truly was the passion of David Milburn, professor and director of bands. Concert band and pep bands continued, but marching band did not.
After his graduation, he went on to have a very successful career in Music Education, and kept right on leading students through music for decades to come.
In the fall of 1978, Ron Sleeth and Jude Gore teamed up to direct the band in the stands at a football game. A true meeting of the minds!
2014 — They’re Back!
In 2014, the Bobcat Marching Band returned. It had only 25 members, but they were mighty! Doubling by the second year, and with steady growth each year, they are now marching about 100 and share their vast amount of school spirit with all of us. Since their return, they have been led by Drum Majors Christen Shell (2014, 205, 2016) and Patrick Withers (2017, 2018). This year, Cassidy Hoffman has been tapped for this leadership position.
Drum Major 101
Each drum major
- must earn and deserve the respect of those they lead
- leads the band onto the field and keeps them all going in the right direction
- keeps the band literally and figuratively on the same page
- plays a crucial role in communication between band and band director
- has the opportunity to facilitate change
- needs to know music and marching drills inside and out – for all members
They are supportive, enthusiastic, prepared and professional.
They set a good example.
These are great life skills!!!
Here’s to a great year for the Bobcat Marching Band in 2019. Their new uniforms have been delayed in production, but hopes are to debut them later this season. And those who wear them will be taking the field under the leadership of Drum Major Cassidy Hoffman.
In 2014, the decision was made to revitalize the Marching Band. They started small that year, with 25 students, but have shown steady growth, enthusiasm, talent, and downright passion. This year they will field about 90. Yes, they are still in search of uniforms, but their sound is intense and electrifying. Their show is the music from the Incredibles. And I have NO doubt that the term will be fitting.
Here is a video from their Facebook Page, showing them as the honor band at the Fairmont Band Spectacular last fall. The crowd had just seen 18 excellent high school bands in fancy uniforms. They were tired, and probably all ready to head home. Probaby a 19th band was a bit of a stretch for their patience. But the WVWC Bobcat Marching Band did not disappoint!
The WVWC Band had already had a busy day. They had played pregame concerts, home football game halftime, and pep music in the stands for a home game in Buckhannon. Then they headed to Fairmont, watched (and cheered for) all of those bands, and still managed to be amazing.
The girl sitting in front of me that evening said that she was considering going to WVWC, but only “if the band was any good.” She watched and cheered and got very excited about this performance. Maybe she will be among those gathering for Band Camp next Saturday. I hope so!
I think that Flavius Fay Smith who was from Fairmont, WV (and who organized the first WVWC band in 1912) was probably cheering somewhere in those stands at the Fairmont Band Spectacular as well!
The Band Is Coming!
P.S.
The band will once again be beating out the strains to “Here’s to Old Wesleyan.” If you are in the stands, why not sing (or at least clap) along!
Update on 2022-07-19:
Dr. Robert Palmer has joined the Bobcat Bands in July 2022!
