Mission Statement
The purpose of the Wyoming All-State Marching Band is to afford high school band members from around the state an opportunity to have an extracurricular marching band experience. We hope to foster an environment that encourages self-discipline, develops leadership skills, and enhances self-esteem. The WASMB is meant to be an enhancement to the student’s current band experience, not a replacement.
The History of WASMB
The Wyoming High School All State Marching Band, under the Direction of Dave & Dawn Bellis, was first formed during the summer of 1990 to help celebrate the Wyoming State Centennial. That summer, they performed around the state of Wyoming for cheering crowds. On January 1, 1991 they performed in their first “Tournament of Roses Parade”; the band numbered 180 musicians.
With the success of the first band, people around the state began talking about re-assembling the band to perform again. During the summer of 1994, the band was put back together with another whole new group of students. Many of these students were younger brothers and sisters of members from the first band. Once again, during the summer months, they performed all around the state. In November of 1994, the band performed in the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”. This band numbered 185 students.
In 1997, the staff decided to continue the “Wyoming All-State Marching Band” with an overseas trip to Ireland. Once again, the band assembled during the summer at a local college and prepared for their trip to Ireland. The same summer format was followed as with previous bands. On March 16th, 1998, the band marched in the “Limerick International Music Festival Parade” in Limerick, Ireland. The following day, March 17th, they performed again for the people of Ireland in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
The band was re-assembled for a fourth time during the summer of 1999. An application to march in the “Millenium Tournament of Roses Parade” had been accepted for the following January 1st. Since this was the “Millenium” parade, the Tournament of Roses committee was looking for large bands. The Wyoming people responded with a 500 piece band. This may have possibly been the largest single-unit band to ever march the “Tournament of Roses Parade”.
Late that year (December 2000), after a final decision was made as to who would be our next President of the United States, the band was asked to perform at the 2001 President’s Inaugural Parade. After all, the new Vice-President Mr. Cheney, was a Wyoming native. With only four and a half weeks to plan and prepare, a 350 member band proudly represented Wyoming in the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.
The Wyoming All-State Marching Band was selected for a third time to perform in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2004. Once again, they followed up that event with a performance at their second US Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.
In August 2006, the band formed again and traveled to Edinburgh Scotland to participate in the Tatoo International Music Festival. While in Scotland they also performed at Sterling Castle and the Queens Mile in Edinburgh.
The Wyoming All-State Marching Band assembled for a ninth time during the summer of 2008. That time, they performed at the Hui Anna of Bands Parade on Waikiki Blvd in Honolulu, Hawaii. as well as a stand-up performance at the USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbour.
In 2010, in what would be their 10th tour, the band made their fourth appearance in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, January 1st, 2011.
Between 2010 and 2012 the Wyoming All-State Marching Band had a change in leadership. Founding directors Dave & Dawn Bellis retired their positions and the Executive Director position was filled by Mr. Dan Holroyd.
When the band was assembled an 11th time in 2012, the band was selected for a second time to perform in the 2012 “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” in New York City.
In November of 2014 the WASMB was assembled for the 12th time and was in Hawaii once again, this time performing at the USS Missouri as well as the Hawaii Ki Christmas Parade.
On January 1, 2016 the WASMB made it’s fifth appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade In Pasadena, California which included a performance in the Disneyland Main Street Parade. This was the 13th tour of the WASMB.
In November of 2018 the WASMB traveled to New York and Philadelphia for their 14th tour and marched in the 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest Christmas Parade in the United States of America.
Dan Holroyd retired from his duty as WASMB Director in 2018.
The band is currently under the direction of Executive Director Aric Hageman and Managing Director Brent Rose.
In 2020 the WASMB was selected to perform in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood California. However, the trip was postponed until 2021 and then later canceled due to the COVD-19 Pandemic.
In 2022 the WASMB traveled to Orlando, Florida Tour including performances at the Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Florida in August of 2022.
In November of 2024 the WASMB traveled again to Philadelphia, PA with a stop in New York City to perform in the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in America, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The 2026 version of the WASMB will be traveling once again to Honolulu, Hawaii to perform in the Hawaii Ki Christmas Parade.