BUCKHANNON — As summer rolls around, the Buckhannon-Upshur High School marching band has begun preparation for the 2023 season. The band is honored to take part in hosting this year’s World Association of Marching Show Bands event alongside West Virginia Wesleyan College and the City of Buckhannon.

Joining the B-U band at WAMSB is the new band director, Tyler Perske. Coming from next door as a music educator in Randolph County, Perske is excited to start a new chapter as director of the Pride of Upshur County. He is also happy to be coming back to the town of his alma mater, as a music education graduate from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Class of 2017.

After graduating, Perske spent two years down in Durham, N.C. at North Carolina Central University, where he received his master’s in jazz studies with a focus in composition and arranging. He was eager to come back home to West Virginia and his Home Among the Hills.

“It’s going to be a beautiful year for music here in Buckhannon, and I can’t think of a better way to start things off,” Perske said. “I know that between myself and Taylor High, the assistant band director, the band will continue to do great things. I’m quite fortunate to have such an incredible colleague to lead this band with.”

The B-U band has been active in recent years. The band was the Tournament of Bands Group 4 Region 13 Champions in 2019 and 2021, earned superior ratings at band festivals as recent as the spring of 2023, and performed at the Grand Old Opry in Tennessee. 

Be sure to come out and support the band at the official Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at Wesleyan’s campus!