TROY--   Troy University ’s famous Sound of the South marching band will be entertaining crowds in both Alabama and Florida during October.

“Each new show we put together requires hours of practice,” said Monique Crawley, secretary for the band.  “We want to put on a good show for our fans, plus, performing at these high school band competitions acts as a huge recruiting tool for the program.”

At two of the venues, the band will be making performances at two different locations during the day, adding to an already hectic schedule. On a normal week, the Sound of the South practices from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursdays and for an hour on Friday afternoons. On mornings of a Saturday performance, band members also practice from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

“Lots of practice and drilling takes place to get perfection,” said Crawley .

Transporting the band is also a production, considering that it takes six charter buses to get the 286-member band -- more than 300 people with staff -- to the performances.  And, of course, a Rider truck must also follow carrying equipment.   

Performances coming up include the CHHS band festival in Troy on Oct. 1; the Exhibition Marching Festival in Daleville and another in Foley on Oct. 8; the marching festival in Opp and another in Crestview , Fla. on Oct 15; and an Oct. 18 performance at the exhibition in Okaloosa County , Fla.