To The Top! A NEW DIRECTOR AND A NEW LOOK Dr. Jamie Standland has recently been named the new Pride of Mississippi Marching Band director at Southern Miss. Standland is a familiar face to the Pride as he has been the assistant director since 2007. Before that, Standland was the co-director of the Pride in 2006, and was graduate assistant to the marching band from 2004 to 2005. “I’m honored and humbled to uphold the tradition of excellence that past directors have created,” said Standland Standland received his bachelor’s degree in music education in 1987 at The University of Southern Mississippi. During that time, he marched with the Pride of Mississippi under the direction of Mr. Kelly Love and Dr. Thomas Fraschillo. Upon graduation, Standland taught middle school and high school band for several years in Florida, and returned to Southern Miss to complete his master’s degree in music education in 1998. “It seems like I couldn’t stay away from what I loved the most,” explained Standland. He taught high school band for a few more years after receiving his master’s and returned to earn his doctoral degree.
The Pride of Mississippi is based on rich traditions in music, marching, education and entertainment. Standland plans to continue to uphold and build upon the traditions of the Pride. Marching in the Pride as a student gave him a huge family and a sense of belonging. In 1986, Standland met his wife in the Pride. Both undergraduates, they marched right next to each other. He and Carol have been married for 25 years and have three children: Drew, Tyler and Laura Lee. “I want my students to love being in the Pride as much as I did. Pride members become life-long friends,” continued Standland. “That is why all the alumni of the Pride, Dixie Darlings, color guard, and twirlers are so important. All the traditions we have today were started and maintained by those who came before us. I would love to see a vibrant alumni base, representing the Pride of Mississippi and I will do all I can to reach out to those alums.”
NOTABLE The Southern Miss Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Dr. Mohamad Schuman, has been selected as the feature university ensemble to perform at the 2013 Mississippi Bandmasters Association Convention in December. This is a historical occasion as this is the first time in the history of the convention that a university “second” band has been invited to perform. The concert performance will take place on Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Natchez Convention Center.
Standland is looking forward to leading the Pride in support of Golden Eagle football this fall. It is his goal to add to the excitement of a great, new year in football by entertaining the audience, alumni, and fans of all ages and as always, to help bring “Southern Miss To The Top!”
Dr. Jamie Standland, new director of The Pride