John M. Long School of Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd8lucN-tOI
The 2025 - 2026 year marked the 60th Anniversary of The “Sound of the South” Marching Band. Dr. John M. Long created the band in its current form in the fall of 1965. The “Sound of the South” Marching Band entertains audiences regularly at all Troy home games and several away games. Recent away appearances include Troy University's bowl appearances at the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, Calif., the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and appearances at the New Orleans Bowl in the Louisiana Superdome and the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida. In fact, over the past few years, the “South of the South” Marching Band has traveled tens of thousands of miles entertaining audiences literally from coast to coast.

Additionally, the “Sound” has been featured on all major broadcast and sports networks including ESPN, Fox Sports South and USA television networks. Other honors which the “Sound of the South” has received is the representation of the State of Alabama at the Inaugural Parades of President Richard Nixon (1969 and 1973), President Ronald Reagan (1985), and President George Bush (1989). The “Sound” has also performed halftime shows with Grammy Award-winning artists Brian McKnight, Lee Greenwood, The Temptations and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Chubby Checker.

The “Sound of the South” is the largest student organization on campus and its members have produced leaders in academics, student government, and athletics, as well as other areas of campus life.

For information regarding band scholarship auditions, please contact Dr. Mark Walker, Director of Bands at Troy University, Troy, AL 36082. Dr. Walker may be reached by phone at (334) 670-3281, or by email at troyband@troy.edu.

The Troy University Symphony Band, conducted by Dr. Mark J. Walker, is comprised of the top 55 - 63 wind and percussion students in the John M. Long School of Music.  The ensemble has an active commissioning schedule and regularly participates in commissioning consortia.  In 2011, this premiere group completed its first international tour, performing for enthusiastic audiences in Vancouver and at the Whistler Music Festival in Whistler, Canada.

In March 2014, the Symphony Band received the honor to perform the opening concert at the 80th Annual Convention of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. The Band also performed for the Alabama Bandmasters Association All State Conference in 2017, and in 2018, the Symphony Band performed at the Southern Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). Over the years, the Symphony Band has enjoyed an active recording schedule, and has recently produced their latest compact disc, The Troy University Symphony Band – Live! and has regularly provided demonstration recordings for C.L. Barnhouse, Alfred Publications, TRN and others.  Throughout its distinguished history, the Symphony Band has recorded chapters for the acclaimed series “The Heritage of the March” and broadcast its own radio program, “Strike Up the Band!” for twenty years on the Southeastern Public Radio Network.

Since 2001, the Symphony Band has performed under the baton of every living member and inductee of the National Band Associations Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors.

The Troy University Symphony Band is open to all university students by audition at the beginning of each semester.

For information regarding band scholarships, auditions, or opportunities to support the band program through the University Foundation, please contact Dr. Mark J. Walker, Director of Bands at mjwalker@troy.edu or phone 334-670-3281. The street address is: 102 Long Hall, Troy University, Troy, AL 36082.

The Troy University Guitar Ensemble was established in 2010. Since this time the ensemble has performed numerous concerts and has participated in several guitar festivals. The Guitar Ensemble rehearses weekly and is open to all music major-guitarists in the School of Music as well as non-music majors that receive the instructor's approval. A wide range of repertoire consisting of all of the major style periods, as well as newly commissioned work, are explored and performed.

Please contact Dr. Robert Gibson for more information about the Troy University Guitar Ensemble at rgibson82106@troy.edu.

For over sixty years, the Troy University Collegiate Singers have provided first-rate performing experiences for students of all majors exploring outstanding repertoire from a wide variety of historical and cultural styles. Students learn skills in vocal technique, music reading, ensemble performance and more. Collegiate Singers serves as ambassadors of the university, performing at important university events, special school programs, and other regular performances. Collegiate Singers is open to all university students, with no audition is required; scholarships are available.

Dr. Michael J. Mills, conductor

Founded in 2006, the Troy University Concert Chorale is the premier vocal ensemble in the John M. Long School of Music. This mixed choir performs challenging classical, traditional, and contemporary choral repertoire at the highest level. The ensemble performs regularly throughout the United States, including a Carnegie Hall debut in New York City and multiple performances at the Alabama Music Educators Association conference. The group has toured internationally throughout Canada, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Membership is open by audition to students of all majors; scholarships are available.

Dr. Michael J. Mills, conductor

Membership in the Troy University Gospels Singers (TUGS) is open to TROY students from all faiths and backgrounds. The ensemble regularly performs music from the African American gospel tradition, spirituals, and non-idiomatic choral music primary composed by African American artists. TUGS has performed across the Southeastern United States, including performances for the late United States congressman John Robert Lewis and the Montgomery, Alabama memorial service of the notable civils rights activist Rosa Parks.

Dr. Henry Terry, conductor

The Troy University Percussion Ensemble was established in the Spring of 2009. Since that time, the ensemble has performed countless local, regional and national tours, as well as appearances at international conferences and conventions. The Troy University Percussion Ensemble is a 2-time winner of the Percussive Arts Society's International Percussion Ensemble Competition (2012 and 2015); as a result of these wins, the ensemble performed a 50-minute showcase concert at PASIC 2012 and 2015, in Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX, respectively. During the Fall 2019 semester, the Troy University Percussion Ensemble was featured on the PASIC stage for a third time, presenting the “New Music Literature” session – a 90-minute showcase concert of new compositions for percussion ensemble.

The Troy University Percussion Ensemble is dedicated to the highest possible level of performance, performing both standard repertoire and new works for percussion and mixed-chamber ensembles. We have established a standard of excellence, which provides amazing performance and collaborative opportunities for our students. Advocates of new music, the ensemble has had the privilege of commissioning with more than 25 composers, and giving the world premiere performance of more than 30 new works for percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs one concert per semester, and often embarks on performance tours throughout the region, during the spring semesters.

If you are interested in more information about the Troy University Percussion Ensemble, please contact Dr. T. Adam Blackstock at tblackstock@troy.edu. 

All members of the “Sound of the South” Auxiliaries are required to audition in order to be offered a place on their team. Students must be accepted as a full-time student at Troy University before the audition date. Please fill out the registration form and read the information packet below for information about the audition process.

Registration form
Audition Information Packet

Do you know a current high school student who is interested in pursuing Music Education as a career? Are you an in-service music teacher looking for a fun professional development opportunity?

Come join us for a day of workshops and sessions, tour our wonderful campus, and meet current students and faculty! The event is free and registration will open in mid-August! For more information on this event, please contact Dr. Scott Sexton at rsexton@troy.edu. 

The “Sound of the South” Marching Band invites local high school students to experience the day in the life of a college marching band! Students will rehearse with SOTS members, experience Troy gameday traditions, and perform alongside the “Sound of the South” at a Troy football game.

More information about Trojan Band Day will be available at a later date. If you have questions about the event, please email Dr. Jerianne Larson at jslarson@troy.edu. 

The Southeastern United States Middle School Honor Band Clinic will be held in the Fall of 2026. For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Walker at mjwalker@troy.edu.