The Western Marching Band is the award-winning marching and pep band for Western University. It started in 1926 under the direction of Paul McKibben, the dean of the medical school. In the 1930s the band thrived under the leadership of Don Wright. Wright played an integral part in developing the small group into the nationally recognized and renowned band it is today. The band boasts 90 years of history, the second longest in Canada. It is comprised of student leaders from first to fourth year and from every faculty on campus. The Western Marching Band is an integral part of the Mustang game day experience and has had a long-lasting impact on Western and the students who attend the university.
Today, the band continues to represent Western across the country by supporting Western varsity teams and participating in countless parades and off-campus events. The band even made an appearance in Canadian pop-sensation, Shawn Mendes’ 2014 music video for his chart-topping song “Something Big.”
The Early Years
The band was formed in 1926 under the direction of Paul McKibben. The small ensemble, consisting of only a few dozen musicians, travelled with the Mustang football team, performing at both home and away games. While marching band performances at athletic games was still in its infancy at this time, the Western Marching Band’s appearances became widely welcomed and even expected.
Don Wright’s Legacy
Don Wright became involved in the marching band in the early 1930s. Wright was studying to earn his undergraduate degree and played trumpet for the 30-member band. In 1933, Wright became bandleader and, despite graduating from Western that year, he was asked to come back and direct the band once again.
With Wright at the helm of the band, he began to shape it into the marching band it is today. Wright introduced rehearsal times once a week, requiring the band to practice from 4:30 p.m. until dark, rain or shine. Wright also arranged all of the music and tailored it to the instrumentation of the band.
Wright added three herald trumpets to announce the entry of the band at events and to add flourishment to songs. He also allowed a female band member to take on the drum major role, which was unheard of at the time. Continuing in that direction, Wright added two male baton twirlers to the majorette party. At a time when all majorettes were female and all drum majors were male, this change in gender roles gave way for a better evolution of the band.
Also under Wright’s leadership, the band started to play popular jazz numbers at football games. This was unheard of at the time but attracted large crowds and usually brought them to their feet with excitement.
In 1936, the University Student Council at Western put on a drive to raise funds to support the purchase of new uniforms. At this point, the U.W.O. Band officially became the Western Mustang Band.
Western Mustangs Fight Song
Western, Western, Western U
College fair and square
Arts and Meds are strong for you
Deny it if you dare.
White and purple colours are
worn by all who know
Just which college is the best
Come and let us show.
That this U is our U and for her we'll strive to
Do our best to fight with might and mane.
We will always adore her
Our old Alma Mater
Western School of Fame.
When Western U goes marching down the field
We know our team will never ever yield
And though the other team has lots of pep
When they see our team they'll
Know they're out of step.
And when the game goes down in history
It's just another Western victory
Let all our cheers go out for
Western U, Western U
Rah, Rah, Raaaahh.
KINNANY, KINNANY, KANANNY, KANOO
High up, Sky up, Western U.
It's a HULLABA, HULLABA, HULLABALU
Rickity, Rickity, Rackity Roo
W - E - S - T - E - R - N
WESTERN! WESTERN! WESTERN!
Music: Walter Smither
Lyrics: Margaret Ovens
Arrangement: Don Wright
