WCU’s Incomparable Golden Rams Marches to 2024 Rose Parade  

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golden rams
Image via Tyger Williams, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band's tuba section practices.
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West Chester University’s marching band is known for its innovation. In recent years, eclectic performances have helped the Incomparable Golden Rams stand out in the crowd literally, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

A few years back, 40 members of the over 300-student band performed sitting in the audience before starting the show. This year, a color guard showed off her skills on an electric violin.  

It’s the innovation, and historical accolades, that have earned this band a spot in the 2024 Rose Parade. Eighty bands compete internationally every year for one of the 15 slots in the parade. The marching band is working to raise $1 million to get the members and instruments to Pasadena. So far, the fundraiser has just a little over $200,000 raised.  

The Golden Rams band has left an impressive imprint on the university’s — and the entire state’s — history. In 2019, the Rams won the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Trophy, which is considered the highest honor for a college marching band. This will also be the second university in Pennsylvania to send its band to the Rose Parade in the last 20 years, with Penn State University being the other.  

Chester County is no stranger to talented marching bands. Downingtown East and West High Schools’ combined marching band also played at the Rose Parade in 2001, 2011, and 2022.  

“I don’t think you realize how big of a deal it is until you’re in the parade and making that first turn, and the crowd is immediately massive,” said Freshman Kylie Cogill whom also played at the Rose Parade for Downingtown.  

“It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The idea that I get to go back is just crazy.” 

Read more about the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band in The Philadelphia Inquirer.  


The Incomparable Golden Rams marching and featured on Fox 29.

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