Marching Band

Join The Pride of Western

Fall Semester 2024

Joining WMB is a great way to continue playing music, meet people from all walks of life on campus, and be front and center of Western's school spirit. After Orientation, rehearsals will start right away on Mondays, Thursdays (5:30-8:00pm), and Fridays (4:30-6:30pm). Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is needed.

New Member Orientation will be on the Sunday after Labour Day. 

This year it's Sunday Sept. 8th, 2024 in Alumni Hall M2 at 3pm. 

Here is our schedule for the 2024 season.

Come out to Orientation! Learn about the Western Mustang Band, ask current members questions! New members are expected to play their instruments at an intermediate level, and no marching experience is expected - we take pride in teaching new members how to march from the ground up! Here you can find examples of our music this semester.

If you miss orientation, please reach out to staff and we'll find the right time for you to jump in!

Please fill out the interest form, and see below for FAQ's!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join?

The Western Mustang Band is open to all Western main campus and affiliate students. The band consists of:

Are there auditions?

All incoming musicians will be auditioned for the Fall 2024 Season. Individuals interested in the Colour Guard won't be auditioned. Auditions take place during Orientation. Auditions consist of three tests: a rhythm dance game, voice excercises, and reading rhythms in Western Standard Music Notation. 

Drumline members will play a test piece to be eligible for certain positions.

General Drumline positions:  WMB Drumline Audition 2024

What if I'm not good enough?

Take a leap of faith and come out anyways! If you played in your High School's senior band you will find our music to be around the same difficulty.

What if I don’t know how to march?

Almost every member joined with no background in marching band. We take pride in teaching each of our members how to march from the ground up.

What is Flag Corps?

The newest addition of the WMB Colour Guard, the Flag Corps consists of an 11-person 8ft flag line, The Flag Corps marches in front of the band during football games and parades.

Does the band have instruments available for loan?

We are one of the very few Canadian college bands with an instrument bank that outfits its band. You are welcome to play on your own instrument during the season, we will supply you with an instrument once all band fees are paid. 

Does it cost anything to join the band?

The band fee for a general member is $150 and covers the Fall semester.

The Colour Guard band fee is TBD for Fall 2024.

The band fee to join for the Winter 2025 semester is TBD.

Can I join other groups on campus?

Absolutely. Although we encourage our members to include music in as many aspects of their lives as possible, we recommend first year students don't dedicate themselves to too many extra-curriculars to ensure a successful transition to university life. 

When does the band rehearse?

During the Fall Semester, the band rehearses Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm, and Fridays 4:30-6:30pm. 

How much commitment is required?

The Western Mustang Band is a varsity-level commitment. The frequency of practices and dense Fall semester schedule requires attendance at as many weekly rehearsals as possible - all performances are mandatory. The commitment level is much less during the Winter semester pep band season.

How hard is the music?

Depends on the skill of the band that year! But as a sample, here's the sheet music to our fight song Western.

Where is the Band Room?

The Band Room is located in room M2 in Alumni Hall on Lambton Dr., up in the south-west stairwell. You can find the band room by entering through the main doors facing the roundabout, turning right in the foyer, and turning right again into the stairwell. You can also enter the stairwell from the loading bay on the south side of the building.

See below for a satellite map of Alumni Hall, and our rehearsal field.

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email us at westernmustangband@gmail.com, and we will get back to you ASAP!

          "The best part was when I looked up at the crowd that had formed and saw a ton of Laurier and Western fans clapping, dancing, videotaping and smiling because of our music. For me this was unrefutable proof that music, even in a competitive setting, is all about bringing people together. "

          "Before my first band camp, I had never experienced the hard work, sweat, and long hours that went into preparing for the first football game of the year and giving the first-years their first taste of the Western Mustang Band. Bonding with the band and getting hyped about the upcoming season is one of my favourite parts of being a WMB member."

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