The Dean of Students Office announced in an email sent out April 7 to students that
The marching band is being initiated by Director of Athletics Rob Fournier and backed by Dean of Students David Strauss.
“Based on the data [of the fall survey sent to students] … we have enough students who were in marching band in high school, who are interested in doing it in college that we could set up a whole band, every line,” Strauss said.
Since the message was sent out, there has been a buzz among the student population for those who both received the email and those who didn’t.
“I’m ecstatic … I’ve been looking for something like this to happen,” said Dennis Mason Jr., a former trumpet and marching cymbals player at
“It’s about time,” said Tyrone Dollison Jr., in agreement with Mason.
Dollison is a former trumpet and quad drum player at
“I know they’ve had attempts before to organize [a band] and I was part of those attempts until it ended up being me and one other person,” Dollison said. “Hopefully, this time when it starts up it’ll be something we’re able to keep up and keep up with.”
Many students think having a marching band would increase student pride and involvement.
“I think it would be excellent as far as school spirit,” Leslie Jackson said. “Let’s be real, marching bands hype everyone up.”
“I think it’ll bring a lot of energy to our athletic teams,” Dollison said. “I would love to be part of the marching band.”
Major Smith, a former drum major at
“I hope to see a lot of people enthused about it and I hope to see the proper steps being taken,” Smith said. “Coming from DPS, I think that if
Dollison agreed with Smith’s hope for the band to go in the right direction with a clear vision.
He also added that “hopefully they march 90s,” in reference to the high-stepping march that he used to do in his high school marching band.
But not every student that was in the band in high school is looking to relive their wonder years but thinks it’ll be a good addition for interested students.
“I guess it’s a good idea for someone who is interested in participating,” said Monique Patmon, a transfer student from Alabama A&M and a former soprano and alto saxophone player at
Strauss acknowledged the band will not be instantly be like other university bands, the effort is beginning and he hopes band practices will begin as soon as summer or fall 2009.
Some students also recognize that a marching band will take work to become good but still support it.
“I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t think [the band] will be good though for the first couple of years,” said Jeff Perry, sophomore and criminal justice major.
More arrangements will be made after the informational meetings held Monday, April 13, and Wednesday, April 15, from noon to 1 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. in the
The meetings will be used as a way to gauge interest and readiness, Strauss said. There will be sign-up forms for students interested in participating and learning more about the band, students with or without instruments and students who may be interested in auxiliaries like flag corps, pomerettes, majorettes, etc...
Students who are unable to attend the meetings but are interested in learning more about the marching band are encouraged to contact Strauss in the Dean of Students Office on the third floor of the
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