The band will resonate with the sounds heard on the field throughout the WVU football season. The Keynotes concert is normally sold out at WVU, and this is the first Northern Panhandle Keynotes Performance, according to officials.

Often referred to as "the Pride of West Virginia," the 410 students of the WVU Marching Band hail from 16 states.

Officials noted several of the students are from Hancock and Brooke counties, and this event will involve their alumni high school bands. It also will give their family and friends the opportunity to see the band in action.

The director of the WVU Marching and Athletic bands, Dearl "Jay" Drury grew up in New Cumberland and graduated from Oak Glen High School. He is serving his fourth year as the assistant director of bands at WVU and as the 11th director of the "Pride of West Virginia."

Drury also has a history with the WVU Marching Band, serving as a former member, trumpet section leader, graduate assistant and assistant director of the band. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from WVU and served as a high school and elementary band director in Hancock and Brooke counties.

Admission to the performance will be a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for the Salvation Army to benefit local families in need for the holidays. There will be several door prize drawings that evening. For information on the WVU Marching Band, visit the Web site at www.wvuband.org.

"The (convention and visitors bureau's) goal is to bring visitors to the top of West Virginia, and with an event of this magnitude we are expecting a full house," said Danny Greathouse, CVB director. "Thanks go out to the CVB Board of Directors whose vision is responsible for this event. It will showcase the exciting entertainment options at Mountaineer," he added.