Sonic Boom of the South: Smaller size, bigger power?
Posted by theflash on 9/27/12 • Categorized as Variety
Tiffany Edmondson
Blue & White Flash /Associate Editor
The Jackson State University marching band, “The Sonic Boom of the South”, has a new leader on the field but he’s not the new kid on the block.
Dowell Taylor, the director for JSU’s Music Technology program, was recently appointed to the position of Interim Band Director for the current academic year.
Taylor, a 29 year veteran of the music department, is committed to the job until a band director is permanently hired for the position but he is aiming to get the band program back on track.
Revamping the band program isn’t an easy task but Taylor is convinced that he can do it because of his past band directing experiences and accomplishments. His resume includes being a JSU graduate, band director at Mary Holmes Jr. College and at Kentucky State University.
After Taylor left KSU, he returned to JSU to become the band director and eventually would start the Music Technology Program.
One of Taylor’s main visions is to create a sense of unity among present and alumni band members.
“There seems to be a division between the different era’s of the “Sonic Boom” participants. This is painful for me to endure or observe but we are going to install the principle of “one boom” united forever. It’s kind of tough but we are making progress,” said Taylor.
Very little has been changed regarding the band but Taylor has his own philosophical difference and approach.
“My philosophical difference is quality before quantity with a profound commitment to good marching, good playing, and the execution of field maneuvers,” said Taylor.
During previous games, many fans in the stadium commented on how small the band appeared on the field during the halftime show. The rumor on campus was that some of the band members were cut but Taylor quickly dispelled that rumor.
“When I was first offered the position, I didn’t know anyone. In order to understand who and what I was working with in the band, I had to audition them to know their playing ability, not to get rid of them,” said Taylor.
However, this year, the band is smaller in size because of the transition from one band director to another and the fact that minimum recruitment was done during those transitions.
Currently, there are 145-150 band members whom Taylor refers to as a dynamic group of strong dedicated players. Next year Taylor says that the band will be bigger and better because all of the assistant band directors will start recruiting the best students across the nation and offer them auditions and scholarships on the spot based on need.
Taylor also stated that even though the bands scholarship budget needs to be enhanced to compete with other band programs, the “Sonic Boom” will continue to march forward with anticipation of stabilizing the band program.
“The band today is the same size of the band that was under my direction that went to Motown and the NAACP Image Awards. The band will continue to be as funky as ever,” said Taylor.
Whether it’s increasing band scholarships or recruiting more players, Taylor’s main goal is to make sure that JSU has a dynamic band program.
http://sites.jsums.edu/jsuflash/2012/09/27/sonic-boom-of-the-south-smaller-size-bigger-power/
Replies
I simply think he have a lot of work to do to to change some things and it wont be easy. Of course the old heads gonna complain because they liked what they was been handed to. You cant change a childs dinner plate from chicken nuggets to lima beans and not expect him to complain. I think he's doing what good band directors are doing and that weeding out people that just in it for the big refund check and not the love of music. Althought I will say it was very weird to see a smaller and less blowing group this year.
I like this version of the Boom.
..& taylor only been there over the Boom very brief . What some people don't get is.....u don't have a power band by blowing like crazy...u get power & volume from good musicians ...good arrangers...very important & if u got that u good. Case in point....the boom sound damn strong with what they have as far as volume.....& the arrangements r getting better...so if u gonna increase numbers..that's good aslong as u ain't got no horn holders & u can have drills that put everyone on the field. Taylor is doing the damn thang mane.
This band sounds and looks great.. still have some things to work on, but DT will have those things corrected... People just want to hear loud cranking... its sad
Exactly, if it's not loud whole notes then its not music to the ignorant.
i'm sorry, I like power and that does NOT make me ignorant. Taylor is doing a great Job but we are about to come full circle. Jstate will be very moderate but getting BOOMED on by those who know how to do both well will be the norm. Power is now apart of the Sonic Boom of the South DNA. It's what made them almost unstoppable these last 4-5 years. I do like the drills though. He has brought that game up a whole lot. JSU Rocks the House
Ditto. They sound good. Marching and drilling better. The only complaint from band heads I see that aren't worth much is power. Again, everyone started cranking their heads off, and they all started to sound the same in the swac. Some bands slowly lost their identities, with the exception of SU. Any issues that Boom members/alumni have should never be or have been brought to public forums.
And like he said, he is the Interim and former director of the Boom. He is there to maintain the program. He may be dealing with issues which will make the Boom better when a permanent Director is found. I personally hope he stays on.
RJ1919 said:
Whats to complain about? JSU looks better and sounds cleaner than they have in over a decade. They still have a powerful sound but its not as sloppy as recent years.
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