Marching Band shines at Navy/Marine Corps parade in Philadelphia

Rowan University’s Pride of the Profs marching band made a powerful impression Oct. 13 with a performance in the Navy/Marine Corps Parade in Philadelphia — its first appearance in a locally and nationally televised parade.

Now in its third season, the band has grown to 175 members and continues to expand its presence and impact.

The parade, which celebrated the Navy/Marine Corps 250^th anniversary, featured approximately 7,000 performers. The procession wound through the heart of the city, travelled up JFK Boulevard, around City Hall and concluded at 3^rd and Market streets. Rowan’s ensemble was joined by the university’s ROTC Honor Guard, highlighting the school’s strong ties to military service and tradition.

Adding to the celebration, Rowan music alumni and current Navy musicians Andrea Kolbach-Galo and Chief Musician Jon Barnes — assistant music director of the Navy’s Commodores Jazz Band — visited the Pride of the Profs before the parade began, underscoring the Music Department’s legacy of producing military musicians.

Parade coverage on 6ABC noted another University connection to the military: namesake Henry Rowan was a World War II bomber pilot.

This season, the band will perform at 14 public events.

“The marching band's typical performance schedule includes all home football games, between four to six each fall,” said Megan Cooney, director of Athletic Bands/associate director of Bands. “We also play special events at the request of the University, two to three exhibition/recruitment performances, and this year one high profile parade!”