Above: The drumline of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, shown here in the 2007 Homecoming parade in Sylva, will perform Thursday, Dec. 6, with country music star Keith Urban in Greenville, S.C.

The 33-member drumline from Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will share the stage Thursday, Dec. 6, with country music superstar Keith Urban in a concert at the BiLo Center in Greenville, S.C.

As part of Urban’s current national “Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy World” tour, the Australian singer-guitarist has invited regional marching band drumlines to perform during one song during each concert stop.

“We were in rehearsals prior to the tour, and Chris the drummer comes up and says that Keith had this idea about using a drumline in the show wherever we go,” said Mark Arnold, Urban’s drum technician.

“Typically, what I do is try to find a university or high school drum corps that’s close to each concert stop. I didn’t know too much about where to find that talent in the Carolinas, but I received a recommendation that I needed to take a look at the marching band at Western,” Arnold said. “I did, and now they’re part of the show.”

WCU percussionists are now in preparation for their time in the spotlight. Drumline members are rehearsing on campus, and will have two on-site rehearsals on the day of the show – one at about 4 p.m., and one at about 5 p.m. as part of the sound-check. The drumline also has been invited to perform for concert-goers as they make their way into the BiLo Center, said Matt Henley, assistant director of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.

“This is going to be a great event for our students,” said Henley. “It’s a remarkable opportunity for these musicians to experience performing on a stage under the lights, in front of a huge crowd, with giant TV screens behind them, and to get to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into putting on a major concert. It’s an honor to be able to represent Western Carolina University in such an exciting venue.”

For more information about the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, call (828) 227-2259 or visit http://www.prideofthemountains.com/.

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last modified: Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007