Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks
WIU Marching Leathernecks | |
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Uniform | |
[[File:Purple and white with gold sash, purple pants, purple Aussie hat with new paw print emblem, white gloves, and black shoes. |frameless|upright=1.25|center]] | |
Website | www |
The Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks is the marching band for Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.[1] The group was formed in 1904.[2][3]
This performing ensemble includes students from many different academic majors at the university. Membership is open to any student on the Macomb campus regardless of major and does not require an audition except for leadership positions like section leader, drum major, senior assistant, equipment manager, etc.
Performance Information
Their performances have included halftime shows for the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears of the National Football League, as well as exhibition performances at the Bands of America Regional Championships at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri and at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana.[4] Western Illinois University also hosts the Marching Band Classic, a high school marching band competition that attracts bands from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. The Marching Leathernecks also perform for Leatherneck football games, both home and away, parades, exhibitions, and regional tours.[5] The full schedule may be viewed on the bands WIU band's website.
Traditions
The band has a rich history and many traditions.
After each performance, the band forms an inner facing circle to perform "
Instrumentation
The Marching Leathernecks consist of four major components: wind instruments, percussion, color guard, and danceline.
The wind instrumentation consists of both woodwind and brass instruments.
Woodwind:
- Piccolo
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Alto and Tenor Saxophone
Brass:
- Trumpet
- Mellophone
- Trombone
- Baritone (Marching)
- Sousaphone
The Percussion instrumentation consists of a drumline. (Note: the percussion section did at one time also consist of a front "pit" ensemble as well, but was eliminated due to transportation and storage issues)
Drumline:
- Cymbal
- Snare (Marching)
- Toms (Marching)
- Bass Drum (Marching)
The last two major components are the color guard and danceline named Westernaires and Westernettes to keep with the WIU "Western" theme. Along with these two larger groups there is often one or two twirlers and three drum majors.
Color Guard (Westernaires):
- Flags
Danceline (Westernettes):
- Dancers/Poms
Twiler
- Baton
Drum Major
See also
References
- ^ "WIU Marching Leathernecks". wiu.edu. Retrieved 2015-01-25.
- ISBN 9780738561417. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ISBN 9781109217759. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- OCLC 868835933. Retrieved 2015-01-25.
- ^ "Kewanee's 'Summer of Sound'". starcourier.com. Retrieved 2015-01-25.
- ^ "Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks". fightmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-01-25.