Department of Music News

PCAST: Empowered by PCAL, the official podcast for the Potter College of Art & Letters at WKU, released a new episode featuring Big Red Marching Band Director Dr. Matthew McCurry and students Emily Boyle and Daly Moore discussing their invitation to perform in the 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP).

In the podcast, Dr. McCurry recalls how the LNYDP invitation ceremony was kept secret, so members of the band would be surprised. When students arrived at practice on Monday, September 18, they were confused to see a stage and platform party present on the field. The students were unaware of what was going on until the VIP guests from London started to speak.

“At first, we thought it was going to be an invitation for the Macy’s [Thanksgiving] Day Parade,” says Boyle. “Then, one of the VIPs got up and started speaking in his accent.”

“I was just, like, in shock. I’m pretty sure my jaw was on the floor the whole time they were speaking,” says Moore. “I looked at one of my friends sitting next to me and I was like, ‘Is this real? Am I just imagining this?’”

The podcast also highlights ways to join the Big Red Marching Band and the umbrella that was given to Boyle by the LNYDP Chairman and Founder, Bob Bone.

The Big Red Marching Band hopes to stay in London for five to six days. Information regarding support for the Big Red Marching Band’s trip to London is forthcoming. Please visit the Big Red Marching Band website here for more information.

This episode is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Buzzsprout. New episodes will release bi-weekly.

If you are interested in helping with the podcast, please contact Dr. Catherine Wilson at catherine.wilson@wku.edu or Jessica Luna at jessica.luna@wku.edu.

Contact: Jessica Luna, (270) 745-3259