The band today comprises brass, percussion, and woodwind instruments played by students from varying faculties on campus, and is led by a drum major.
In 1923, a band was formed under the direction of Sidney Kingsmill on the newly developed University of Western Ontario campus.
[2][3] This new organization had more resources due to financial and administrative assistance from Paul McKibben, the Dean of Western's School of Medicine.
[5][6] The COTC had access to finances set aside from the Department of National Defence and purchased instruments and sheet music.
Under the direction of the COTC, the band got a full uniform and would dress same as the military unit, with the khaki-coloured tunic and pants and a brimmed cap.
[5] The band continued to play at football games and received high praise from the university during this time for increasing school spirit.
The band started to play Wright's jazz arrangements at football games during this time and became notable amongst the crowds.
[11][12] Wright purposefully chose Beth Forbes for the position and felt strongly about having a female in the leadership role.
[9] The band ceased operations in 1940 due to World War II and all other extra-curricular activities at the university were stopped.
The uniforms were purchased with the assistance of the Purple Spur Society and the Alumni Association, who contributed funds to help offset total costs.
[23] In 1970, the University Student Council president identified the marching band as an extra-curricular in need of support and lobbied the increase funding by $6,000, through the Board of Governors.
The Band played at the 9th Vanier Cup at CNE Stadium in Toronto, on November 22, 1973, backing up Shirley Eikhard who sang the National Anthem.
By the mid-1980s, membership again dwindled, and a series of articles criticizing the band's unprofessional atmosphere began appearing in the Western Gazette.
In recent years, the band has been in Shawn Mendes' 2014 music video for Something Big,[28][29] performed at the finale of the 2016 Toronto Fashion Week for Greta Constantine playing an arrangement of "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.
[30][31][32] After a successful student-led referendum in February 2015[33] the band secured stable funding, which enabled it to transition out from under the USC.
Under his leadership, the band experienced significant growth, reaching its largest size and achieving its most notable success since the 1960s.
[34] [35] The band continues using many of Fleming's arrangements, including that of the Western Fight Song and Alma Mater, to this day.
Not an original melody, Wright included an arrangement of the chorus of "Washington and Lee Swing", which is a commonly used school fight song.
The band currently consists of members from various faculties at the University of Western Ontario main campus as well as the affiliated colleges.
The team is made entirely of band members, and is overseen by the director as well as the Western Athletics Department.
In addition to external funding, band members also pay yearly fees to help offset costs of instrument repairs, uniform cleanings and repairs, busses for events, staff, new music, shoes and other clothing, and any equipment or field rentals.