The Mighty Sound of the South is a musical group rarely mentioned by name but often heard around The University of Memphis.
The Mighty Sound of the South is The U of M marching band. The band performs at all home football games, a few away games, pep rallies and spirit events. The band spends many hours preparing for the pregame show, half-time show and stand music they play at each game.
Nick Holland, associate band director, said this year’s band is much better. The band is able to play more difficult music and perform more challenging drills.
“We are working hard to do the best job we can,” said Courtney Caswell, color guard instructor.
The size of the band has increased by about 17 percent, according to Holland. The band currently has 217 members.
The band performs several distinct shows during the football season. This season’s program included three different shows and a special Homecoming Show.
The first show, “Spanish Dreams,” was a Latin jazz show. The show consisted of three songs, “Night Streets,” “La Suerte da los Tanto” and “Malaguena.”
“The first show was lots of fun,” Caswell said. “It had a lot of energy.”
The second show, “Jazz Impressions” was, if the name is a clue, a jazz show. The show’s musical selections included “Bird Land,” “April in Paris” and “C Jam Blues.”
“The music was a little more challenging for the band,” said Jeff Townsend, trumpet section leader. “I liked the music.”
The band is currently working on the Homecoming Show, which will be performed next Saturday. The University of Memphis chose a western theme for Homecoming and the band is following suit. The show’s musical pieces include “Wild Wild West,” “Hoe Down” and the “Magnificent Seven.”
“The show will be good even though it’s a little cheesy,” Caswell said.
After the Homecoming Show, the band will move on to the third show, “Salute to America.” The show’s tunes will include “Liberty Fanfare,” “Armed Forces Salute” and “America the Beautiful.”
“The third show was a change due to the recent events in America,” Holland said.
According to Holland, the band is trying to be more involved in the stands at the football games. He said the band is trying to play better songs at more appropriate times.
“We want to be more involved in the flow of the game,” Holland said.
The week before school starts in the fall, the marching band meets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. That week they prepare the first show, so they will be ready to perform it at the first football game.
The marching band continues to practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and on some Saturdays throughout the fall semester. The Saturday practices vary depending on the game schedule.
Although band scholarship money convinces some students to endure the long practices, Cheri Baker, a junior colorguard member, said she’s in the band for the love of the art, not for the love of money.
“The scholarship is not the reason I spend the time to do this,” she said. “I really enjoy what I do.”
