News

The Mountain State Forest Festival has invited the Alumni Band to perform at the opening of this year’s Festival. This event will be held in front of the Depot Amphitheater, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in Elkins, WV. 

• Warm up: 3:15pm

• Performance: 4:00pm

• Attire: Summer gig shirts, khaki pants, and tennis shoes or sandals. No flip flops.

• Registration: Click here to register.

More information about where to meet and parking will be provided at a later date.

With this event, we will be trying a new communication method. It should be faster and specifically target Pep Band performers. We will utilize WhatsApp, which works on both Apple and Android devices. This should provide for more targeted information reaching participants instantaneously.

Please click here or scan or upload the QR code below (using your WhatsApp camera) to join. If you do not already have WhatsApp on your device, a link will be available for you to download it to your device when you join.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ellen Ramey at EllenRamey@wvualumniband.org.

The WVU Cleft Craniofacial Center patient and clinic staff picnic is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Dorsey’s Knob Park in Morgantown. We have once again been invited to perform! 

• Warm up: 2:30pm

• Performance: 3:00pm

• Attire: Summer gig shirts and khaki shorts or pants. This is an OUTDOOR performance. Please plan for the weather to be hot!

• Click here to register.

We will meet in the paved parking area and walk down to the pavilion. It is a short walk but we travel on a gravel pathway. We will perform on the hillside right in front of the pavilion. Please wear tennis shoes or other footwear that will provide sure footing.   

Following the event, we will reconvene at Colasante’s (located at 416 Fairmont Rd, Morgantown) for a meal. This is totally optional, but we invite you and your loved ones to join us! Each member is responsible for their own meal costs.

With this event, we will be trying a new communication method. It should be faster and specifically target Pep Band performers. We will utilize WhatsApp, which works on both Apple and Android devices. This should provide for more targeted information reaching participants instantaneously.

Please click here or scan or upload the QR code below (using your WhatsApp camera) to join. If you do not already have WhatsApp on your device, a link will be available for you to download it to your device when you join.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ellen Ramey at EllenRamey@wvualumniband.org.

The August meeting is being held virtually (via Zoom) on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 7:30pm. This is a member-only event for those that paid their 2023 dues.  You must RSVP in order to participate. Please click here to register.

Zoom credentials will be sent to registered members on Saturday, August 19, 2023.  We hope to see you there!

The June meeting has been cancelled due to not being able to find a date and time that would work for the Board because of conference and vacation travel. The next meeting will be in August. Date and time TBD.

Friends,

As you know, the Alumni Band is in the process of refreshing and rebranding our image. This is for two reasons: one, a request from the WVU Alumni Association sent to all of its member organizations, and two, joining the nationwide trend of NCAA Division I School Alumni Bands towards a more professional appearance.

It is an exciting time. We have grown so much since our inception in 1969. Originally an organization created to facilitate Homecoming participation, the WVU Alumni Band, Inc is now a support affiliate of The Pride of West Virginia and an Ambassador for both the University and the State of West Virginia. For twenty years, Alumni Band Tours have traveled Europe’s major cities and country roads, spreading friendship and the mission of WVU through Music. In recent years, our Alumni Pep Bands have taken on a similar role throughout our home state, performing at a variety of sporting events, appearing on ESPN, civic events, charitable events, and memorial ceremonies. We are a family of thousands, spanning decades, all connected by our love for the WVU Bands.

We have received many good questions and requests from members for more information. First of all, THANK YOU for your interest! Your Thoughts Matter to the Executive Board. As Performance Chair, please allow me to explain what is currently happening.

1. We are starting with an image refresh for the Pep Bands. Over the last two years, many folks have expressed a wish for a new shirt that is not gold. The Spring Merchandise line features a navy Alumni Band T-shirt.  The great thing is this shirt is available to Everyone and not limited to only those who currently play or wish to play with the Pep Bands. We are pairing the shirt with khaki pants or shorts. Add your favorite tennis shoes or sandals (no flip flops, please) and you’re set to go! Khakis are MUCH cooler in the summer months and have a cleaner, more professional look. This look is very similar to what our European Tour Alumni Bands have been wearing for years. Please do not worry about the “shade of khaki.” It will all blend well. We currently have a pop up link active under the Performance Dress Code tab on our homepage. While you are there, please check out the other new items appearing in this initial launch, which will extend through midnight May 22nd.

2. The Executive Board is currently working on Homecoming details. If you look at the Performance Dress Code page, you will see it listed as TBA - To Be Announced. We have several possibilities and are working very hard with multiple parties. Our goal is to finalize details and release information in early July. We know there are a lot of rumors flying, but we truly have not made any final decisions. Please be patient - the end result will be worth it.

3. When you look at our current Pop-Up Merchandise Shop, you will see several items have been released in this first launch. Scott Mahaney has worked tirelessly to develop a new line of Alumni Band gear. Just like in the fashion world, our merchandise is appearing in several releases over time. This is simply our first sashay down the catwalk. We have some wonderful new items ahead!

4. Your questions and comments are always welcome and appreciated!  Please contact us via email at the following email addresses. We can provide a much better answer through this method than a Facebook comment will allow.

• John Sinsel, President, JohnSinsel@wvualumniband.org
• Al Hall, Vice President, AlHall@wvualumniband.org
• Ellen Ramey, Performance Chair EllenRamey@wvualumniband.org
• WVU Alumni Band, Inc, Info@wvualumniband.org

Thank you for sharing your time with me. I hope I have provided a more detailed, clear understanding of the project. Your involvement in the WVU Alumni Band is valued and I am honored to be of service to this outstanding organization. RFL.

With deepest respect,

Ellen

Ellen Woods Ramey, Ed.S.

Performance Chair

The WVU Alumni Band, Inc. is excited to announce our 2nd Annual Family Day at the Gold-Blue Spring Game, Saturday, April 22, 2023! In addition to playing in the stands with The Pride of West Virginia, we will have a pre-game member/family tailgate and a post-game mixer with senior members of The Pride.

The Tailgate will be free for members. Guests and non-members will be $10 for those 13 years of age and older. Twelve and under eat for free! The tailgate will be catered by Apple Annie's of Morgantown, WV. Be sure to register here to attend. For more information about the tailgate and mixer, please visit the the 2023 Gold-Blue Spring Game page at our website.

Registration - Registration is open through April 20, 2023. If you plan to play in the stands with The Pride, we ask that you please register in advance. The Band Office needs to have a count of all those attending. Any updates for the event, including the schedule, will be sent to only those registered.

Attire - Please plan to wear a gold shirt (short or long sleeved) and Khaki pants. The shirt should be family appropriate. 

Rental Equipment - Rental equipment will be free and can be secured during registration. Please reserve your equipment by Friday, April 14, 2022. After that date we cannot guarantee availability.

Gold-Blue Spring Game Tickets - You can purchase your game event ticket(s) from WVU in advance here. Tickets are $10 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit WVU Medicine Children's. Everyone must have a ticket to attend the game.

We will receive a schedule and music closer to the event from the Band Office. The final schedule any any updates concerning the event will be posted at our website here. 

We hope to see you there!

Greetings!

It is that time of year again to renew your membership for 2023 and be a part of everything the Alumni Band has planned! We have exciting member opportunities coming up soon that you don’t want to miss!

Membership dues are $40.00. However, if you pay your dues by March 31^st, an early bird discount will apply, and the dues payment will be $25.00. The earlier you pay your dues, the more you can enjoy the events that the Alumni Band has to offer.  

Membership renewal for 2023 is being processed as an "Event" from our website. You will find the 2023 membership renewal under the “Membership Payment and Event Registration Portal” tab or on the homepage under Upcoming Events. 

Pay By Check: To pay by check, please see the mailing address below. If you have any questions while processing your membership, please contact Sarah at Webmaster@wvualumniband.org. If you have questions about your payment, please contact Theresa at TheresaSmith@wvualumniband.org. 

Committees: A committee member application form is now available on the website in the member only section (Committee Form). After paying your membership dues, please take some time to complete the application if you are interested in serving on any of our committees for 2023.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@wvualumniband.org. Stay safe and Let’s Go Mountaineers!

Sincerely,

Officers and Board of Directors, WVU Alumni Band Inc., 2022-2023

WVU Alumni Band, Inc.

WVU Alumni Association

PO Box 4269

Morgantown, WV 26504

WVU will take on Oklahoma State, on Oct. 21st during Homecoming weekend 2023.

The February meeting is being held virtually (via Zoom) on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 7:00PM.  This is a member-only event for those that paid their 2023 dues.  You must RSVP in order to participate.  The link to register is under the tab Membership Payment and Event Registration Portal.

Zoom credentials will be sent to registered dues paid members on Saturday, February 4, 2023.  We hope to see you there!

As a reminder, please complete the Committee Form when you visit our website.  There will be plenty of activities this year and members ideas and support are needed to make them a success.