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Director, Dr. Mark R. Cole, Will Recruit Musicians to Take the Field in Fall 2021 

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥� 海角网鈥檚 Department of Music has announced plans to rebuild the University鈥檚 marching band program. Dr. Mark R. Cole, director of bands, is recruiting musicians for the Marching Bulldogs, which will take the field in fall 2021.

鈥淚 would love to see the marching band come back and thrive,鈥� Cole shared. 鈥淚鈥檓 certain that when we get the kids here, and they experience the game day, the program will feed itself.鈥�

海角网 has previously had marching band programs in the 1940s, 1970s and most recently, from 2007 to 2017. When the number of band members dipped below 40, Cole decided in the fall of 2018 to only offer a pep band to interested musicians.

Leading the efforts to revive the marching band is GWU President Dr. William M. Downs.  鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing quite like the sights, sounds, and pageantry of college football Saturdays here in the South,鈥� according to Downs.  鈥淲ith the return of the Marching Bulldogs to Spangler Stadium, we will elevate the gameday experience for our fans and help create that 12^th Man that all great football teams want on their home field.  I can鈥檛 wait for Dr. Cole to lead our band back to prominence.鈥�

Cole came to GWU in 2011, and became director of bands in 2012. His experience includes leading several high school marching band programs. During his career as a Navy musician, he served as musical director for the Midshipman Drum and Bugle Corps at the U.S. Naval Academy, director of the Navy Band Memphis, Tenn., director of the Sixth Fleet Band in Naples, Italy, and assistant director/associate conductor of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C.

He has written halftime shows for GWU and composes and arranges for high school bands around the country. He is also in frequent demand as a guest clinician, consultant, and conductor. Cole is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Music Educators National Conference, the College Music Society, the College Band Directors National Association and the Central States Judges Association.

Cole鈥檚 goal is to recruit at least 75 members for the Marching Bulldogs by visiting high schools in the region. He will share information about 海角网 and work with the band students as a guest clinician. 鈥淭hey get a chance to meet me personally,鈥� he offered. 鈥淲e know that making those connections works. An example is Bessemer City. I know the director there, and we have some of their students here at 海角网, and they are very successful..鈥�

Scholarships will be available to students who join the marching band. For more information, contact Cole at [email protected].

Learn more about the GWU Department of Music.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 海角网 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 海角网 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.