We all had a great time at the Tuscola vs. Smoky Mountain game on Friday September 25, 2026. Even though there was short notice, about 15+ Tuscola and Waynesville band alumni joined the Senior High band members and 8th grade band students for food and music both before and during the game.

The Tuscola Band Boosters spread a wonderful table full of food and desserts adjacent to the Marching Mountaineers trailer beyond the end zone. Pre-game music included Tuscola’s 2026 field show – Spark of Genius, with the 8th graders joining the band to play the National Anthem. Those junior high and senior high musicians did a super job together!

In the stands during the game both alumni and 8th graders joined with the Tuscola band playing pep tunes. It was great to see at least five alumni, plus our Waynesville Junior High directors, playing their instruments beside the students. Everyone sounded great together! Please check out the pictures below to see what it was like.

All the alumni had a good time talking, catching up, learning about each other’s band experiences, and seeing and hearing the current (and future) Marching Mountaineers!

More alumni events are sure to come. We promise there will be plenty of notice for the next ones.

Please join us on July 31 for our “Mountie Showcase” – the premier of the Tuscola Marching Mountaineer’s brand new Fall 2026 field show, Spark of Genius. Show time is 7pm in C. E. Weatherby Stadium at Waynesville Junior High School.

2026 Show

Alumni, friends and all Marching Mountaineer supporters are invited. The “Mountie Showcase” features the band’s hard work during two solid weeks of summer band camp.

Brass Rehearsal – 2025

And mark your calendars for the Band’s other Fall competition and exhibition performances. Those include:

Mountain Showcase Exhibition: September 15th at CE Weatherby Stadium
Land of Sky Marching Festival: September 26th at Enka HS
Cold Mountain Classic: October 3rd at Pisgah HS
Cedar Cliffs Classic: October 10th at AC Reynolds HS
Tournament of Champions: October 17th at  Western Carolina University
North Henderson Knights Competition: October 24th at North Henderson HS

The Spirit of Carnivale Performance – 2025

Tuscola’s Bands have a lot going on for Spring 2026. That always includes Tuscola’s concert band, in recent years our Winterguard, and brand new for this year, Tuscola’s percussion ensemble – Mountain Groove Percussion.

Tuscola’s concert band is conducted by Director Tyler Reese. The Winter Guard is directed by Ashley Cole. And Mountain Groove Percussion follows the beat of Tyler Shade.

Click the image for video of The Marching Mountaineers percussion section playing “Parade” from the field show Carnaval for renowned composer/instructor Colin McNutt at Western Carolina University.

The Marching Mountaineers percussion section play “Parade” from the field show Carnaval for renowned composer/instructor Colin McNutt at Western Carolina University.

Here are the performances, concerts and events to put on your calendars.

Winterguard

Feb 28th – CWEA Pickens

Mar 14th – CWEA Byrnes

Mar 28th – CWEA Scholastic 3A Championships

(CWEA = Carolina Winter Ensemble Association)

Indoor Percussion

Feb 6th – Basketball Performance

Feb 10th – Basketball Performance

Mar 7th – CWEA Rock Hill

Other Band Events

Feb 26th – Brevard College Band Invitational @ 12:30pm

Mar 3rd – Mountain Winds at THS @ 7pm

Mar 4th – WMS and THS Pre-MPA Concert at THS

Mar 19th – THS MPA performance at Mars Hill University @ 6:45pm

April 28th – Small Ensemble Concert at THS @ 7pm

May 11th – THS Spring Concert @ 7pm