Pride of Dixie Marching Band
Encyclopedia
The University of North Alabama Pride of Dixie Marching Band, or POD, is the official marching band
of the University of North Alabama
. The POD is the largest organization on campus, and performs at all North Alabama Lions football
home games, as well as local parades and high school competition exhibitions across the state. They are known for precision marching and drill design, while entertaining with strongly played jazz standards.
back to the campus in 1949. Twenty-seven students, out of the 1,400 attending FSTC, formed the first marching band.
The band's first rehearsal took place on September 24, 1949 and performed the show Saturday, October, 22 at the FSTC/Livingston (now the University of West Alabama
) game. Coach H.A. Flowers had this to say about the band's first performance, "There were many thrills in the game with Livingston, but to me none were greater than those which I experienced watching the band show."
Mr. Kenneth Large was hired as the new band director. When he came to Florence State College (FSTC became Florence State College in 1957), he found that he only had seventeen band students. He diligently recruited and raised the number of the band to fifty students. Mr. Large resurrected the band program. In December of that same year, the FSC Lion Marching Band made its first appearance in the Birmingham
Veterans Day
Parade. "The Lion Marching Band" was also nicknamed the "Marching Band with Symphonic Sound." A job offer drew Mr. Large away from Florence State in 1966. After four band directors, the band had increased its number by forty-three members from its beginning in 1949. When Mr. Large left, there were around seventy members. During the years following, that number would steadily increase as four more band directors took the baton.
, included a music building, an art building, and Norton Auditorium.
. The band also received an invitation to perform in the Blue/Gray Bowl game. Dr. Simpson decided that being director and Department of Music was too much and resigned as director in 1978. In June 1978, Dr. Edd Jones took over as director of bands and Mr. Thomas Risher as assistant director. Under Dr. Jones' direction, the band underwent many changes.
Lloyd Jones, the current director, began assisting with the band in 1996. Directors from around the state have recognized UNA's (changed from FSU to the University of North Alabama in 1975) music program for the past twenty-two years.Members of the concert and jazz
band performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association conference at Auburn University
in the spring of 1997. The band received numerous standing ovations and many musicians from around the state wrote Dr. Jones about the UNA music program. The marching band has made twenty-four consecutive NCAA Division II National Football Championship Game appearances, and the jazz band has gained great acclaim during his tenure. Dr. Jones retired August 1, 2000 as director of bands and continues to teach in the department in an adjunct
capacity.
The Pride of Dixie performed in Alabama Governor Bob Riley
's Second Inaugural Parade on January 15, 2007 in Montgomery
.
Additional performing opportunities are provided by the Jazz Combo, the Percussion Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble and the Woodwind Ensemble. All performing groups at UNA are a part of the school curriculum, and members receive academic credit for their participation. All performing groups are supervised and taught by experienced and interested faculty members.
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
of the University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
. The POD is the largest organization on campus, and performs at all North Alabama Lions football
North Alabama Lions football
The North Alabama Lions football team represents the University of North Alabama in the NCAA Division II competing as a member of the East Division of the Gulf South Conference . UNA plays its home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama...
home games, as well as local parades and high school competition exhibitions across the state. They are known for precision marching and drill design, while entertaining with strongly played jazz standards.
Beginnings
The University of North Alabama Pride of Dixie Band began as the Tri-Cities Band directed by Dr. William Presser in 1947. UNA, then called Florence State Teachers College (FSTC), underwent a series of events that led to the first official college band in 1949. Dr. Presser took the position of choral director, and Dr. Robert Nye was hired as a new music teacher when President E.B. Norton brought footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
back to the campus in 1949. Twenty-seven students, out of the 1,400 attending FSTC, formed the first marching band.
The band's first rehearsal took place on September 24, 1949 and performed the show Saturday, October, 22 at the FSTC/Livingston (now the University of West Alabama
University of West Alabama
The University of West Alabama is a public university located in Livingston, Alabama, United States. It is currently on probation with its regional accrediting body....
) game. Coach H.A. Flowers had this to say about the band's first performance, "There were many thrills in the game with Livingston, but to me none were greater than those which I experienced watching the band show."
1950s
During the summer of 1950, uniforms were ordered and Dr. Nye left FSTC to take a position at Oregon University. The new band director, selected by a committee which included band personnel, was Dr. Wayne Christeson. Dr. Christeson was director when the band began practicing on the practice field, which is still in use today on what is now Pine Street. He also saw the band grow to forty-four members in 1954. During his tenure, the band performed for dedications, inductions, and grand openings. In 1961, Dr. Christeson decided to devote his time to being chair of the Department of Music.Mr. Kenneth Large was hired as the new band director. When he came to Florence State College (FSTC became Florence State College in 1957), he found that he only had seventeen band students. He diligently recruited and raised the number of the band to fifty students. Mr. Large resurrected the band program. In December of that same year, the FSC Lion Marching Band made its first appearance in the Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
Parade. "The Lion Marching Band" was also nicknamed the "Marching Band with Symphonic Sound." A job offer drew Mr. Large away from Florence State in 1966. After four band directors, the band had increased its number by forty-three members from its beginning in 1949. When Mr. Large left, there were around seventy members. During the years following, that number would steadily increase as four more band directors took the baton.
1960s
Mr. Arthur Theil took over the Florence State College's band in 1965 with assistant Mr. Art Thomas. He was the gentleman that gave the marching band its name. He dubbed the band the Pride of Dixie. The band had seventy members when Mr. Large left but only forty-six when Mr. Theil took over. By Mr. Theil's second year the number of students in the band increased to eighty members. After practicing in the Stone Lodge, or Band Lodge, for twenty years the band moved to its new home, the Lurleen Wallace Fine Arts Center in 1969. The building, named after former Alabama Governor Lurleen WallaceLurleen Wallace
Lurleen Brigham Wallace , born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was the 46th Governor of Alabama from 1967 until her death in 1968. She was the first wife of Alabama Governor George Wallace, whom she succeeded as governor. She succeeded her husband as he was forbidden by Alabama law to succeed himself. She...
, included a music building, an art building, and Norton Auditorium.
1970s
In 1970, Mr. Theil left Florence State University (FSC changed to Florence State University in 1968) and Dr. Frank McArthur was hired to direct the bands. Under Dr. McArthur's direction, the Pride of Dixie entered and won the Birmingham Veterans Day Parade best university band contest on October 22, 1973. Dr. McArthur decided to give up the band in 1975 when he found the work of directing and being dean of the School of Arts and Sciences too much. Dr. James K. Simpson, who was Dr. McArthur's assistant band director, took over the position in 1975. He was assisted by Mr. Ron Hooten. In 1976, the Pride of Dixie joined the rest of the country to celebrate America's BicentennialUnited States Bicentennial
The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to the historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic...
. The band also received an invitation to perform in the Blue/Gray Bowl game. Dr. Simpson decided that being director and Department of Music was too much and resigned as director in 1978. In June 1978, Dr. Edd Jones took over as director of bands and Mr. Thomas Risher as assistant director. Under Dr. Jones' direction, the band underwent many changes.
Today
| Listen to "UNA Fight Song UNA Fight Song The "UNA Fight Song" is the fight song of the University of North Alabama, and is played by the Pride of Dixie Marching Band. The song is based on one of three songs called "Three School Songs," which was published in the 1960s... " Pride of Dixie |
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Lloyd Jones, the current director, began assisting with the band in 1996. Directors from around the state have recognized UNA's (changed from FSU to the University of North Alabama in 1975) music program for the past twenty-two years.Members of the concert and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
band performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association conference at Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
in the spring of 1997. The band received numerous standing ovations and many musicians from around the state wrote Dr. Jones about the UNA music program. The marching band has made twenty-four consecutive NCAA Division II National Football Championship Game appearances, and the jazz band has gained great acclaim during his tenure. Dr. Jones retired August 1, 2000 as director of bands and continues to teach in the department in an adjunct
Adjunct
Adjunct may refer to:* Adjunct , words used as modifiers* Adjunct professor, a professor who does not hold a permanent position at a particular academic institution* Adjuncts, sources of sugar used in brewing...
capacity.
The Pride of Dixie performed in Alabama Governor Bob Riley
Bob Riley
Bob Riley may refer to:* Bob Riley, 52nd Governor of Alabama* Bob C. Riley, acting Governor of Arkansas for 11 days in 1975* Bob Riley , sports car designer and founder of Riley Technologies...
's Second Inaugural Parade on January 15, 2007 in Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
.
Marching Band
The Pride of Dixie, widely recognized for its professional sound and unique drill designs, provides outstanding entertainment for enthusiastic audiences throughout the football season. The Majorettes, Lionettes (dance line), and Color Guard are an integral part of each halftime show.Lionettes
The UNA Lionettes are the dance line which performs as a part of the Pride of Dixie Marching Band. Members must have an interest in dance and performance. Auditions for the Lionette Dance Line are held in the spring semester. Scholarships are available to all those selected as members.Majorettes
The UNA Majorettes are an integral part of the Pride of Dixie Marching Band. Prior experience as a majorette is required. Scholarships are available to all those selected as members. Auditions for positions on the UNA Majorette Line are held in the spring semester.Color Guard
The UNA Color Guard provides visual impact for the Pride of Dixie Marching Band. Members must be experienced in basic color guard techniques or have an interest in learning. Scholarships are available to all those selected as members. Auditions for the UNA Color Guard are held in the spring semester.Concert Band
To perform the finest in traditional and contemporary band literature is the goal of this extremely popular concert organization. Frequent guest appearances by UNA music faculty members and professional performers add an extra dimension to the Concert Band's presentations.Jazz Band
Offering students experience in modern jazz interpretation, this select ensemble represents UNA in a number of performances, including an annual concert tour of area high schools.Scholarships
Each member selected to perform in the "Pride of Dixie" Marching Band and Concert Band receives a scholarship that is awarded without regard to academic major. In some cases a band scholarship may be combined with other grants to further lessen the cost of a college education.Auditions
The type of scholarship that a wind or percussion player receives is determined by an audition with the Director of Bands and by recommendation from the applicant's high school band director. Appointments for auditions may be scheduled anytime prior to fall semester; however, it is advisable for the applicant to seek an early spring audition date in order to be assured of a position in the "Pride of Dixie" Marching Band. Tryouts for Majorettes, Lionettes, and Color Guard are held in April and May for the following fall.Additional performing opportunities are provided by the Jazz Combo, the Percussion Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble and the Woodwind Ensemble. All performing groups at UNA are a part of the school curriculum, and members receive academic credit for their participation. All performing groups are supervised and taught by experienced and interested faculty members.