Sound of the South
The Sound of the South (SOTS) welcomes students of all majors to be involved and perform in front of thousands each year on and off campus.
The Sound of the South (SOTS) welcomes students of all majors to be involved and perform in front of thousands each year on and off campus.
The Troy University Band Program is the largest student organization on the Troy University Campus. Comprised of the nationally renowned “Sound of the South” Marching Band, The “Sound of the South” Football and Basketball Pep Bands, the Troy University Symphony Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and various other smaller ensembles, the program enjoys the enthusiastic support of the Troy University community and the surrounding areas. Whether the band is supporting Troy Football's spectacular success with the 350 member “Sound of the South” Marching Band, or entertaining enthusiastic audiences at one of the many concerts given by our concert ensembles, the students and audiences are energized by what they see and hear.
We're thrilled to announce that the Troy University “Sound of the South” Marching Band has been invited to perform in the 2027 London New Year's Day Parade, an iconic and internationally celebrated parade!
On January 1, 2027, over 150 “Sound of the South” Marching Band students will represent Troy University
and the U.S. in front of a global audience, joining over 8,000 performers from around
the world. This incredible honor shines a spotlight on the hard work, dedication,
and spirit of our students, and you can help make it happen.
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.
The Troy University Band Program is open to all Troy University students regardless
of major and offers attractive scholarships for participation. Troy University Bands
alumni include some of the nation's finest band directors and music educators, performers,
composers, and arrangers. Additionally, the Troy University Band Alumni count among
their ranks doctors, lawyers, clergy, businesspeople, pharmacists, scientists, artists,
military personnel, pilots, and many, many more.
For more information about participating in the Troy University Band Program, please
contact the Band Office at 334.670.3281 or troyband@troy.edu.
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 “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.
The registration form below is intended for band directors to register on behalf of their students. We encourage full band participation but welcome as many students as can attend from each school. We ask that band directors attend to accompany their students to the event.
A detailed schedule of events and information about ticketing and logistics will be
available closer to the event, but please complete the form to reserve your spot.
If you have questions about the event, please email Dr. Jerianne Larson at jslarson@troy.edu.
Date: TBD
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
Are you a high school student, graduating senior, or current Troy University student interested in becoming part of the Sound of the South Drumline? Join us at the Troy University campus on April 11, 2026 for our "Sound of the South" Drumline Interest Day—a hands‑on, informative, and exciting morning where you'll get a first look at what it means to be part of one of the “Sound of the South”.
Who's invited:
What to expect:
Throughout the morning, we'll explore key aspects of the drumline experience, including:
We will end the morning with a short rehearsal and read through of some of our technique exercises and pregame music.
To register, please fill out the form found below. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register for the "Sound of the South" Drumline Interest Day
The Troy University College of Arts and Humanities is launching a new interdisciplinary hearing screening initiative that offers free, professional hearing checks beginning Spring 2026. The program was initiated by the Music Industry program and developed through collaboration between the John M. Long School of Music and the Troy University School of Nursing. It is designed to promote long-term hearing health and early identification of potential concerns.
The screenings are open to all College of Arts and Humanities students and faculty.
Participants are welcome to bring a roommate or friend. Screenings will use modern
audiometric screening equipment. Each station will be staffed by trained nursing students
under faculty supervision, providing a fast, professional screening experience.
Spring 2026 screening sessions are scheduled for:
3/3/2026 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Smith Hall 216, 218, and 222
Participants are encouraged to attend one session and will receive their results immediately.
By offering screenings every semester, individuals can track their hearing over time
and address any potential issues before they become more serious.
"For our students, hearing is central not only to music and creative work but to overall
quality of life", said Dr. Chandler R. Bridges, Jr., Associate Professor and Music
Industry Coordinator in the John M. Long School of Music. "By making regular screenings
accessible, we are helping students protect a vital sense that supports their artistic
development, academic success, and long-term well being."
The initiative is supported in partnership by Dr. William Michael Thrasher, Dean of
the College of Arts and Humanities, and Dr. Hui Ting Yang, Director of the John M.
Long School of Music. The program was developed in collaboration with Dr. Rebecca
Jo Allen-Jones and Dr. Wade Forehand of the Troy University School of Nursing.
All eligible participants are invited to attend. To help organizers plan staffing
and space, attendees should register here.
This initiative reflects Troy University's commitment to student and faculty wellness
and interdisciplinary collaboration, creating meaningful partnerships between the
arts and health sciences while supporting community success.
For more information or questions about the screenings, please contact the John M. Long School of Music
As the Sound of the South Marching Band continues to prepare and raise funds to perform in the 2027 London Parade, band members are excited about representing Troy University in one of the largest New Year's events in the world. The Sound of the South (SOTS) welcomes students of all majors to be involved and perform in front of thousands each year on and off campus. Sydney Strickland, a junior studying general science education from Hartford, shared she has enjoyed meeting her closest friends while performing the piccolo in Veterans Memorial Stadium and staying involved in music as a non-music major.
Read MoreFor information regarding band scholarships, auditions, or opportunities to support the band program through the University Foundation, please contact the university band office:
troyband@troy.edu
Tel: 334-670-3281
Fax: 334-670-5664
102 Long Hall
Troy University
Troy, Alabama 36082
The following material provides both general and detailed information on Hearing Health. The information is provided by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). As a musician, maintaining your hearing health is critical and is your responsibility to preserve.
NASM-PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health
The following material provides both general and detailed information on Neuromusculoskeletal
Health. This information is provided by the National Association of Schools of Music
(NASM). As a musician, maintaining your neuromusculoskeletal health is critical and
is your responsibility to preserve.
NASM-PAMA Advisories on Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health
The following material provides both general and detailed information on Vocal Health.
This information is provided by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
As a musician, maintaining your vocal health is critical and is your responsibility
to preserve.
NASM-PAMA Advisories on Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health