News

“Being involved in UNC Charlotte’s marching band is for sure the best thing I’ve ever done.” Nick Francis is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in music education. After graduation, he plans to continue his education in pursuit of a master’s degree in percussion performance. This is his second year as part of the PNNMB […]

UNC Charlotte’s very own “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band (PNNMB) wowed Charlotte 49ers fans with spectacular uniforms, electrifying music and crowd-pleasing formations during its debut in 2015. Now the band is ready to unveil yet another piece of the puzzle. “We’ve crossed another significant milestone,” says UNC Charlotte’s Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Jeffrey […]

As the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band approaches our second season, we introduce you to our drum majors; Quinten Wrenn, Madelyn Colby and Bryce Harris. Quinten Wrenn, Head Drum Major Quinten is a junior from Monroe, North Carolina, and is studying music education at UNC Charlotte. He graduated from Parkwood High School, and was […]

The UNC Charlotte “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band has been selected as the official band to represent the United States in Normandy, France, in June 2018.  The performance will mark the 74th anniversary of D-Day.  Each year, one band is chosen to represent the U.S. at the D-Day commemoration. The honor was historically reserved […]

The Pride of Niner Nation has launched its first crowdfund campaign, one of just four inaugural campaigns accepted for the new Crowdfund UNC Charlotte initiative. Crowdfund UNC Charlotte provides an online platform to students, faculty and staff to generate funding for ideas significant to them. “Crowdfunding is an opportunity for students to reach out through […]

On Wednesday, October 21, the Johnson Band Center was officially dedicated in a 12:30 pm ceremony on the building’s front lawn. The new building is named for Vickie and Gene Johnson, UNC Charlotte alumni whose generous support launched the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band. In his opening remarks at the event, Chancellor Philip L. […]

As the Pride of Niner Nation begins its first season, we introduce you to our drum majors, Madelyn Colby and Quinten Wrenn. Madelyn is a sophomore from Concord, North Carolina, and is studying communications at UNC Charlotte. A seasoned band member, she was the drum major of Concord High School’s Spider Marching Band for two […]

The “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band will make its official public debut at the inaugural New Student Convocation on August 24. Led by Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Jeffrey Miller, the band will perform the UNC Charlotte 49ers Fight Song and will also be joined by Director of Choral Studies Dr. Randy Haldeman to […]

After a successful groundbreaking ceremony that included the announcement of a $2 million gift to the UNC Charlotte’s new marching band, the university has officially begun construction on the Vickie and Gene Johnson Marching Band Center. The 6,700 square foot building will house a conference room, workroom, and four offices for the band staff.  It will also include […]

The marching band won’t start performing until next year, but UNC Charlotte has already selected both a uniform and a name: The UNC Charlotte “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band. Earlier in the fall, the Department of Music solicited suggestions for the new band’s name and received 366 entries. A selection committee that included Director of Athletic Bands […]