WKU’s Big Red Marching Band Returns from London

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The WKU Big Red Marching Band (BRMB) is back on the Hill after an once in a lifetime journey to London for the iconic London New Year’s Day Parade.

Over the holiday break, the band traveled across the pond, not only to represent Western Kentucky University, or the state of Kentucky, but the United States as well on an international stage.

Marching through the streets of London, the Big Red Marching Band performed in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators, with millions more watching the event online from around the world. For the students, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their talents and the Hilltopper pride to a global audience.

“It was really cool because I know for a fact that most Europeans probably are like, Where is Kentucky? What is Kentucky?” Spencer Winterbottom, a Junior Tenor Saxophone student shared. “Just being able to go over there and kind of represent what we stand for, and show them that we’re good musicians, was amazing. Music has no language barrier—everybody loves music.”

The band’s performance left a lasting impression not only on the students but the crowds in London too. It also highlighted the strong support the music department receives from WKU.

“It showed me that our campus cares about the music department,” Jayne Shannon, a Senior Bass Guitar student said. “WKU gave us money to help send us to London, which is huge—especially because of the number of students we brought.”

Comprised of more than 300 members, the Big Red Marching Band was the largest band ever to participate in the London New Year’s Day Parade since its inception in 1987. In addition to the parade, members had the option to visit Paris as part of their trip, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“If I ever have kids or talk to any family members or any people that any of my friends that asked me how was London? I can explain to them every detail what happened.” Sophomore member of the front ensemble, Wilbert Osorio Hernandez said.  “Like what I did, what funny things that happened up there. How was the parade and everything? I could tell them everything.”

The Big Red Marching Band is comprised of multiple backgrounds, from Music majors to Biology majors, like Evan Medley, who assists the BRMB behind the scenes.

“It was a very interesting feeling being on an international stage and representing WKU and the music department as a biology major,” Medley shared. “It reminded me that even though I might not be directly associated with the music department, I can still form lifelong memories with them.”

The WKU Big Red Marching Band’s trip to London was a powerful reminder of the talent, dedication, and pride that define the WKU and their music department, leaving an international audience inspired and WKU beaming with pride.