Jacksonville, AL – On April 15th, 2023, Jacksonville State University will host the second annual Marching Southerners Symposium.
This all-day event is an exciting opportunity for middle and high school students to hone leadership skills, gain valuable experience marching and playing their instruments, and take a peek behind the curtain at the inner workings of the Sudler Trophy-winning Marching Southerners.
Participating students will have the opportunity to:
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- Participate in leadership sessions hosted by the Marching Southerners directors
- Learn marching technique and perform drill under the guidance of the Marching Southerners directors and leadership staff
- Join the Marching Southerners in the first ever reading of the 2023 Marching Southerners show music!
This event is open to students of ALL levels of experience and ALL sections (Instrumentalists, Percussion, Colorguard, Dancers, Drum Majors, etc.). From experienced high school seniors to brand new marchers and musicians, the Marching Southerners Symposium strives to create a valuable experience for students regardless of their experience level.
2023 Schedule of Events
8:00 AM Check-in (Pete Mathews Coliseum)
8:30 AM Opening Meeting (Pete Mathews Coliseum)
8:45 AM Transition to Practice Field (Bennett Field)
9:00 AM Marching Session (Bennett Field)
10:45 AM Transition to Mason Hall
11:00 AM Ultimate Drill Book (UDB)/Leadership Clinic (Recital Hall/Band Room, Mason Hall)
12:00 PM Lunch at the Cafeteria (Jack Hopper Dining Hall)
1:15 PM Transition to Field (Bennett Field)
1:30 PM Music Rehearsal (Bennett Field)
2:00 PM Learn Drill (Bennett Field)
(Drum Major Conducting Session)
3:15 PM Auxiliary and Percussion Join (Bennett Field)
4:00 PM Snacks (Bennett Field)
4:30 PM Transition to Stadium (JSU Stadium)
4:45 PM Meet the Southerners (JSU Stadium)
4:50 PM Warm up (JSU Stadium)
5:00 PM Perform Fight Song Drill
(Parents may join) (JSU Stadium)
5:15 PM Reading Band (JSU Stadium)
2023 Southerners Show
6:00 PM Dismiss (PICK UP STUDENTS AT JSU STADIUM)
Areas of Instruction
Leadership Clinic: Dr. Kenneth G. Bodiford (Director of Bands)
Students will interact with other student leaders across the southeast in this unique leadership program designed specifically for marching bands.
Percussion Clinic: Mr. Clint Gillespie (Associate Director of Bands/Percussion Coordinator)
Students will work on fundamentals to improve their marching percussion skills. Students will also learn a short cadence and a song to play with the full band at the end of the day.
Marching Clinic: Dr. Jeremy Stovall (Assistant Director of Bands)
Students will learn how to read drill charts and coordinate sheets. This session will include grid terminology, field layout, field markings, and how coordinates work.
Students will also learn how to use the Ultimate Drill Book (UDB) app to aid in setting and cleaning drill.
Colorguard Clinic: Mr. Rodney Bailey (Colorguard Coordinator)
Participants will learn fundamentals from the Southerners Colorguard Leadership staff, which will conclude with the teaching of the JSU Fight Song choreography as well as an excerpt from the upcoming 2023 Production. Students are welcome and encouraged to take any choreography back to their high schools to incorporate into their 2022 fall/winter programs.
Dance Clinic: Mrs. Noelle Stovall (Ballerina/Dance Coordinator)
Dancers will spend the day learning dance fundamentals, stretch and strength building for kicks, and choreography to improve their technical abilities and performance quality.
