The University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will spend part of New Year's Day performing for thousands of people in person and hundreds of thousands more around the globe as part of one of the most-watched spectacles on television.
The Laramie-based group of musicians will march in the annual Tournment of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day.
It’s the first time the University of Wyoming band has been selected for a performance of this stature, UW marching director Joseph D. Carver told Cowboy State Daily.
The band typically performs during UW athletic events in support of the Brown and Gold. A sold-out home football game can pack more than 29,000 people into War Memorial Stadium.
The Rose Parade draws a live audience of more than 700,000 viewers per year.
“We have been fortunate to travel to some very cool events, but this will be the largest,” said Carver.
UW had to apply to even be considered for a spot in the parade. The application included videos and photos of the band's recent performances. Carver also had to give a pitch to justify why Western Thunder deserves to be in the parade and what it would mean to band members.
The parade committee “really enjoyed our performance video of our 2023 show, ‘A tour of Wyoming,'” he said.
In that show, the band animated iconic images from Wyoming. The team formed a bison and made it move across the field. The evaluators loved the band's cowboy hats, he added.
“We are ready,” said Carver.
The band spent the whole season perfecting the music it plans to use during the parade and at Bandfest. It will perform Wyoming- and cowboy-themed songs like Chancey Williams’ tune “The World Needs More Cowboys,” Toby Keith’s “Should've Been A Cowboy” and “Come On Wyoming” by Lorna Simpson.
The route is a staggering 5.5 miles long and feels longer with marchers carrying the burden of keeping their rigid, upright form and instruments for the entire parade.
UW band directors expected marchers to condition physically to get ready. The directors sent the players physical training programs over the summer to make sure they felt ready, Carver said.
He hopes that training at the War Memorial Stadium’s famous 7,220 feet above sea level altitude will help also.
Pasadena sits just 863 feet above sea level.
Fundraising for the trip was the “biggest task” for the team, said Carver.
Flights, food, hotels and other expenses add up quickly when traveling with a 230-person band. University administration, the UW Foundation and other supporters helped realize the dream, the director said. And that’s been important to keep the financial stress off the students.
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band) 
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band) 
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band) 
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band) 
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band) 
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band) 
For the first time, the University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band will perform in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. (Courtesy University of Wyoming Western Thunder marching band)
Bandfest
The band will be doing other performances during its time in California.
Bandfest is a two-day event that allows every parade band to do a field show as well. Western Thunder will participate in the event Monday, two days before the parade.
The band is also scheduled to visit popular attractions in the Los Angeles area, such as Hollywood, Disneyland and the Santa Monica pier.
This is Carver's sixth year as director of Western Thunder.
“I have had a lot of great opportunities with different groups throughout my career,” he said, adding that many of his most memorable band moments were those spent traveling.
He said he’s been a fan of this parade his entire band life and has always wanted to direct a group marching in it.
“It’s just different when you get to show off what you do to new audiences,” he said.
The number of bands that apply to be in the parade is significant when considering how many are accepted. Many high schools, colleges, community bands, military groups and international ensembles apply and only 20-25 are selected to perform each year.
That level of competition only emphasizes the honor of being chosen, said the director.
The Tournament of Roses has become a New Year's Day tradition for millions of people, the parade’s website says. It reaches across the world and dates back to 1890. Featured floats range across four types: marching bands, floral-covered floats, equestrian units and other tournament entries. It is televised from 9-11 a.m. Mountain Time on ABC, NBC, Great American Family, RFD TV, Univision and more.
“We are excited to show the world what we do here at UW,” said Carver.
