Everything’s coming up roses for Western Carolina University’s marching band these days, as the 360 members of WCU’s Pride of the Mountains learned recently that the band has been selected to participate in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade.

The surprise announcement of the latest honor for Western Carolina’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band came during a ceremony recognizing WCU as winner of the 2009 Sudler Trophy.

Bob Buckner, director of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, said he had known about the band’s selection to appear in the Tournament of Roses Parade for several weeks but did not want the news to overshadow the Sudler Trophy ceremony.

“We presented band members with yellow rose boutonnieres with purple ribbons to wear on their uniforms for the Sudler presentation,” Buckner said. “We wanted them to think they were just wearing the school colors for the ceremony, when we really were giving them a little hint about another big event coming their way in about 14 months.”

It was up to public address announcer Ryan Hipps to deliver the news to the band members – and to football fans, former band directors, and band alumni and parents in attendance during the Sudler Trophy presentation.

“We also are very excited to announce a surprise for the current band membership. The rose on your uniform today not only symbolizes the events of today but also another honor in your future,” Hipps said. “The Pride of the Mountains has been selected, invited and is going to represent Western Carolina University and the great state of North Carolina in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.”

Called “The Granddaddy of Them All,” the parade is held annually on New Year’s Day in conjunction with the Rose Bowl college football game, part of the Bowl Championship Series. The parade is seen by hundreds of thousands of spectators who line the 5-mile route, and by millions of viewers around the world who watch television broadcasts of the event. The parade features flower-decorated floats, the top high school and college marching bands from around the world, equestrian units and other attractions.