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Welcome to the second edition of the Spirit of Northwestern Alumni Newsletter. I hope that this publication allows each of our alumni members to feel connected to their Alma Mater. We hope that the enclosed stories, photos, and information will be meaningful to you and bring joy to see your contribution to Northwestern State, the band program, and the SON continue to benefit the students today - our alumni in training.
Chicago, New Orleans, and San Antonio allowing alumni to engage generations of Demons
Since our last publication, we have had several opportunities to reconnect as alumni in Natchitoches, Chicago, New Orleans, and San Antonio. The stories shared with those who were able to attend these events at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, LMEA, and TMEA are just one manner in which our alumni can continue to engage with each other and with our current students. As these opportunities become continuing staples, we hope that you will participate and reminisce on what made your time in Natchitoches special as your schedule allows.
State of the SON
As we continue to navigate away from COVID and the additional challenges that face higher education in its wake, I want to take an opportunity to provide some insight into the State of the SON. This information is intended to help all alumni understand the challenges we face, how they affect the university and band program, and what we are doing to return the SON to the high-quality large ensemble you have come to expect. While some university band programs have seen a modest return to pre-pandemic numbers, a few programs have experienced growth, and many others have been less fortunate with hard-hitting declines in enrollment and/or quality. Compared to other regional institutions similar in size and scope, our university has been blessed, but still negatively affected by the pandemic.
Reasons to be optimistic
One of our largest enrollments in SON history came right before the pandemic in 2019. Many of you remember the halftime performance vs. LSU and the excitement and joy that brought for alumni, administrators, students, and ‘fans’ of the SON. We hope that with continued support from NSU administration, alumni, students, and those who are ‘fans of the SON’ we will return to these exciting times sooner rather than later. With the recent trends in enrollment, particularly as the Natchitoches campus appears poised for an upcoming rebound, we are hopeful that our unprecedented ~10% band enrollment will pay dividends for the SON.
The SON has been placed in high regard among faithful alumni, the NSU and Natchitoches communities, and the entire band profession for many years. The work that has been done since the early 1980s has been historic and defied all norms. One way this is evident is that many university band programs experience 2-5% of their university enrollment. Northwestern State has been way above that number for many years and continues to do so. With budget concerns felt all over the United States, many band programs have experienced hardships and difficulty in remaining competitive. During this time, the support from Northwestern’s administration has not waivered whatsoever. We continue to appreciate that support and the ability that allows our band faculty the opportunity to travel to high school programs and provide service to local and regional band programs, which gives us access to meet prospective students who can consider Northwestern as their college choice. In a day where limiting or eliminating these resources would be easy, we are fortunate to have an opportunity to remain competitive thanks to the reputation of the SON and our administrator’s value to the program.
Many efforts on our campus are reversing the enrollment trends of the past few years. Enrollment on the Natchitoches campus is positioned for growth for the first time since 2021. This is welcomed news as that number directly affects the enrollment of the SON. If we continue to carry an unprecedented 911% enrollment, then your Spirit of Northwestern will return with stronger numbers similar to what we were experiencing before the pandemic in the next few years. There are reasons for optimism:
We have always had great faculty who provide a tremendous experience, but our facilities have needed a cosmetic facelift. With the help of our administration and the support of KKY and TBS, we have been addressing these concerns with freshly painted hallways and teaching spaces This makes
The SON at the 2019 NSU vs. LSU game in Death Valley
What is the NSU Band Staff doing and what can our alumni do...
While we will never turn down an opportunity to raise funds for a needed expense that eliminates unnecessary barriers for students to participate, our needs are a little more personal at this time:
Support Northwestern State, the Band Program, and the SON with social media posts that reflect your time in the program. What were the benefits of being in the SON, what did the SON do for your career, or did you meet someone special because of the SON? If any of these topics strike a positive memory for you, we would appreciate you pushing this on social media with a post and
If you are a middle school or high school teacher in any discipline, please promote NSU in your classroom. A simple pennant, poster, or other ‘ swag ’ can go a long way. If you need something, please drop me a line on my cell: 785-250-5054 and I will send you what I can. Supporting your Alma Mater in this manner may be the first experience for a student to realize that NSU exists. More directly, if you are a high school band director, I hope you will allow us to come to your rehearsal hall or practice field to talk to your students for a few minutes. While we are there, we are happy to lend an extra set of eyes and ears and assist!
Support our Summer Music Camp (flyer enclosed) by sending your children and/or those students you teach. Exposure to summer camps on a college campus is the ultimate way to expose these students to great instruction, college life, and the NSU experience. We fully expect to have additional camps return to campus to extend our reach further.
We know we had the largest band in the State of Louisiana in 2019 and want to have the opportunity to ignite the excitement similar to those days once again. With your unwavering support of NSU, we know that opportunity, along with a healthy Northwestern State University, will get us there again. I am pleased that one of our major initiatives in having the SON travel internationally will be a reality in March 2027, as our application to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland was recently accepted. This opportunity will be afforded to current students, faculty, and alumni band members. More information will be given in the next edition of this newsletter.
In closing, please know that we truly appreciate your continued support. We hope that we have your trust in rebuilding your program so we can experience your continued pride in the Spirit of Northwestern.
Fromthe Director of Athletic bands
The Convergence of Dedication & Passion: SON 2024 & 2025
The 2024 fall season was a shining testament to the boundless potential that arises when dedication and passion converge. The Spirit of Northwestern demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, pouring their hearts and souls into every performance, and I am truly exhilarated by our collective accomplishments. These exceptional students have established a new standard, inspiring us daily with their unbridled enthusiasm, positivity, and dedication to fostering a more vibrant culture.
Their energy was nothing short of contagious, as evidenced by our outstanding performance at the DeRidder Marching Festival, where we performed 'Dancing with the Demons,' featuring music from iconic artists, The Village People, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston. The crowd's enthusiasm was palpable, and we also celebrated a spectacular day at our annual Classic on the Cane marching contest. This event showcased the hard work of high school bands from across the region and concluded with an out-of-this-world performance from the SON. Our show, entitled 'SON, Moon, and Stars,' featured music from Gustav Holst, Michael Bublé, and Kendrick Lamar. Congratulations to the Parkway High School Marching Band and their director and NSU alumnus, Mr. Mark Minton, on their well-deserved Grand Championship Trophy.
As we embark on a new journey, we are thrilled to announce our 2025 show, “Winner Takes All!”, which promises to push the boundaries of innovation with stunning visuals, captivating costuming, and trailblazing performances. This new chapter will be a testament to our growth, creativity, and resilience, reminding us that life's challenges can be overcome with determination, perseverance, and an unwavering spirit. Join us on this extraordinary journey, and get a sneak peek at our video trailer: https://youtu.be/Gg919LrF02U?feature=shared.
Thank you for an unforgettable season, made possible by our talented students, staff, graduate students, leadership team, alumni support, and fans.
My Best, Trevor Bailey
Alumni Spotlight
From rank-and-file member to
drum
major and
then
director; an interview with Dr. Jeff Mathews
It may be every band student’s dream to one day take the reigns and lead your Alma Mater, however, that opportunity does not come for most. Sometimes it is being in the right place at the right time; however, the opportunity may not be fulfilled. For Dr. Jeff Mathews, that dream became a reality to move from rankand-file member, to drum major, and then director of the NSU Band Program and the beloved Spirit of Northwestern. We hope you enjoy this informal interview!
What attracted you to Northwestern State?
Bill Brent came to Bossier High School where I was a trombone player and rehearsed the band. I was already committed to another school, but Bill and I made a great connection that evening during rehearsal. Afterward, I made plans to visit NSU. The visit was great of course and I realized there was something happening at NSU despite the small numbers in the band program at the time.
What was your initial reaction when arriving as a newly minted member of the SON?
I actually arrived at band camp late because I had to complete Army basic training that summer. It was a bit overwhelming at first because of this, but things settled in quickly. The energy was so positive, and the band was sounding great. Just two years before
there were less than 50 members in the band but Bill had gotten it to about 110 or so when I arrived. The members of the band at that time knew something special was happening. We were so proud to be a part of this growing organization. Everyone in the band was involved in recruiting. Many of us went back to our high school bands to give a recruiting talk and pass on materials provided by Mr. Brent. By the time I graduated the band had well over two hundred members. What a fun time to be in SON!
What was one or two highlights of your time as a member of the SON?
This has always been my favorite moment as a member of the SON. During my time at NSU, we played Louisiana Tech in football every year in what was known at the “State Fair Game”. This was a huge game for all because it was played on neutral ground in Shreveport at Independence Stadium. Crowds were very big back then. Somewhere between 20 and 30 thousand would attend the game. Half time got rained out two years in a row so most in the Shreveport crowd had not seen the phenomenal growth of the band. The last time the band played half time at the State Fair game it had less than 50 members. We played a West Side Story Show that night that had a great finish. The crowd was on their feet before the end of the show.That moment is seared into my brain. You can still find that show on YouTube* believe it or not. The show is flawed and old school, but it was a fantastic night for the band and NSU. Like I said previously, there was just something magical about that time.
As a fellow student-colleague, what is one piece of advice you wish the current members of the SON would hear from you?
I was never the best player or the most natural conductor, but I worked hard at it; really hard. Regardless of what field you are going into. Truly hard workers will stand out and be rewarded. Being on time, dressing appropriately, and working hard are simple things to do that get noticed. If you have the option to work from home or go into the office at that first job, go into the office.
What were your thoughts when asked to take over as Director of Bands at your Alma Mater?
“Oh boy. These are some big shoes to fill with a large audience watching”. I think I was ready though. Mr. Brent had prepared me well and thankfully made the transition very easy.
As director, what are one or two highlights of your time in that position?
The team spirit and creative energy that developed between Dan MacDonald, Oliver Molina, Estelle Murr, Adam Hudlow, and me made the work environment stimulating, invigorating, and just plain fun. The shows of 2017, 2018, and 2019 were phenomenal due to the work of that team. Definitely a highlight of my entire career.
The development of the Wind Symphony into an ensemble of significant quality was my most important contribution to the NSU band program. Performing at the World Association of Symphonic Band and Ensembles conference in Spain and the CBDNA Southern Regional conference we hosted are highlights of my time with the Wind Symphony.
What message would you like for the SON Alumni members to know about you and the current direction of the band program?
I am sincerely enjoying my current position as a middle school band director in the Little Elm ISD in the North Dallas area. After decades in Natchitoches, Kristine and I are happy to be taking advantage of big city life.
I was very happy to hear that my former student Trevor Bailey was returning as Director of Athletic Bands. He is a great teacher who will bring real energy to the position. I have witnessed Dr. Pursell and Trevor working diligently on the recruiting process and expect we will all see the fruits of their labor in the next year or two.
As a fellow director, what is one piece of advice you wish the current directors would hear from you?
Most of my former students will already know what I am going to say here as I have been preaching this for at least 25 years (to little or no avail I might add, but I’m not giving up!). Don’t let competition be the motivation and driving force of your program. A superior rating or a marching contest victory should not be the goal of your teaching. It should be the result of your teaching.
Jeff Mathews inducted in the 2023 Ring of Honor with Bill Brent and SON members Konnor Thibodeaux and McKenzie Ryder
Alumni Northwestern Stay Connected Spirit of
Getting Reconnected
Alumni gatherings bring the true spirit of the Spirit of Northwestern together again
The old saying “Time flies when you are having fun,” is so true; we certainly experience that when we are in our youth. The same can be said from the experiences these past four months since Homecoming 2024 when the SON Alumni gathered for the second annual Alumni Gathering in Natchitoches at Flying Heart.
This year we are fortunate to have the opportunity to create additional spaces to rekindle old stories from our time at Northwestern State and those special moments in the SON and Band Program. These stories likely bring smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts. It is plausible that these stories have become exaggerated in our favor as the years continue to move forward; likely due to selective memories or a receding hairline! “I promise, that fish was massive...but it got away!”
As we continue to find creative ways and times to get together and share these stories, we hope we find a pathway to have each of you join us. While the gatherings at Homecoming, the Midwest Clinic, and TMEA will become staples in our offerings, we will draw up plans to meet in other areas of the region, so all will have an opportunity. With our new home in New Orleans for LMEA, we look forward to finding a time in The Big Easy to take a moment and share time together...I am certain there are a few places we might find to accommodate you Demons!
Please continue to check out the Spirit of Northwestern Alumni Band page on Facebook for updates and opportunities. In the meantime, please enjoy the next few pages of photos and videos of the gatherings from the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025!
Chicago
- December 19, 2024
- February 14, 2025
Moving on... same address
...always grateful for the incredible alumni community that continues to support and uplift this program
I hope this message finds you well! It has been an exciting and memorable season for the Spirit of Northwestern, and I am always grateful for the incredible alumni community that continues to support and uplift this program.
I want to take a moment to invite all SON alumni, especially members of the marching percussion section, to a special NSU Percussion Alumni Event happening May 3-4, 2025. This will be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, make music, and share stories, but most importantly, to celebrate the incredible teaching career of Associate Director of Bands Ken Green. The event will feature a banquet on Saturday, May 3, followed by a percussion ensemble concert at 2 PM in Magale Recital Hall on May 4, where NSU Percussion Alumni will take the stage. I hope many of you will join us for this meaningful weekend to honor Mr. Green and spend time with fellow alumni!
I am also writing to share some personal news. As many of you may have heard, after ten incredible years serving as the Assistant Director of Bands, I have made the difficult decision to step away from my role. While this was not an easy choice, I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my family, especially with my two young children.
That being said, I am not going far! I will continue teaching at NSU, dedicating my time and energy to the percussion studio. This is an exciting opportunity for me to focus on working closely with our percussion students, helping them grow as musicians and performers, and bringing the NSU name to national and international levels.
Over the past decade, I have been privileged to work with so many talented students, alumni, and colleagues who make the Spirit of Northwestern such a special place. Some of my most cherished memories include leading the drumline in Death Valley as we took on LSU, conducting our outstanding concert bands, and witnessing the dedication and energy that our students bring to every performance. I will always look back fondly on the excitement of football games and our incredible marching band performances in Turpin Stadium, especially during the Classic on the Cane Marching Band Competition, where we welcomed talented high school bands to experience the energy and tradition of the Spirit of Northwestern. The SON is more than just a band it’s a family, and I am grateful to have been a part of it for so long.
We are currently in the process of hiring my successor, and I am confident that we have a pool of highly qualified applicants who will carry on the tradition and excellence of the program. I know that the Spirit of Northwestern will continue to thrive, and I look forward to seeing all the great things to come. Thank you for your support over the years and for being part of this incredible community. I hope to stay connected and see many of you at future performances, Homecoming events, and beyond.
With gratitude, Dr. Oliver Molina
Ring of honor 2024 Inductees
Ring now includes recognition of Ken Green & student inductees from the Fall 2024 season
In January 2024, the SON Awards Banquet was established by the Theta Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and Eta Pi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. This event was created to celebrate the current members of the SON and to honor special guests. The evening included dinner and awards given to members of the SON by KKY and TBS. Each member was awarded a token of appreciation associated by class. Graduating seniors were also recognized for their loyalty to the SON. Senior members included:
Chris Acker
Juan Angulo
Quincy Beasley
Jeannette Bentancourt
Remi Blanchard
Makalya Boudreaux
Jessica Breaux
Evan Bryant
Alessandra Coneo
Caleb Daniels
Piper Dearing
Jillian Duggan
Allison Flores
Angela Gonzales
Berenice Juarez
Michaela Kleyle
Rikki Landry
Covie Latham
The evening concluded by recognizing the 2024 Ring of Honor inductees. The award symbolizes the lasting effects of a SON member’s character work ethic, and leadership paired with superior service to the organization and loyalty to Northwestern State. The band staff recognized Mr. Green’s leadership in guiding the SON percussion from 1983 to 2022. Students indicted by their peers included Remi Blanchard and Brady Mathis.
Emily Marr
Harmony Marsh
Brady Mathis
Diana McCabe
Luke Niedens
Sebastian Oviedo-Osorio
Juan Padilla
Jett Person
Cindy Pinkerton
Vivian Powell
Ramiyah Rounds
Lennon Shumate
Alexa Sumbler
Aleysia Trahan
Jorge Vargas
Dalton Wade
Clayton Wallace
Abby Whatley
Kirk Ybañez
Special Recognition from Mr. Brent for Ken Green
For 22 years, Kenneth (Ken) Green was the associate director of bands and was responsible for the percussion studio and drumline at NSU.
Prior to his arrival at NSU in 1993, NSU had three professors of percussion and the arrival of Ken on campus brought stability that the percussion studio desperately needed.
During his tenure at NSU, Ken was a master recruiter and brought undergraduate and graduate students from all of the United States to NSU. The drumline continued to grow in both quality and size and for a number of years, there were more than 40 members of the drumline including the front ensemble.
Today’s percussion studio is blessed with some of the finest equipment available to college level percussionists and Ken Green is responsible for much of that equipment. He was the only percussion instructor I worked with over the years who insisted his students be responsible for cleaning the instruments and for maintenance on a regular basis. He even ensured that the students filed their band music in folders and then brought the folders to rehearsals. No more percussion music on the floor of the drumline closets!
With that said, Ken’s perhaps great legacy is the number of students he mentored who have become master educators in their own right. Many of his former students have become leaders in the percussion world and str involved with PASIC and INNOVATIVE PERCUSSION and others have been members of the United States Army Old Guard Drum and Fife Corps in Washington DC as well as performing in other military bands.
I’m thrilled that Ken Green is being installed into the Ring of Honor of the Northwestern State University “Spirit of Northwestern” Band. He is certainly deserving of this distinction and I appreciate Dr. Pursell and the selection committee for honoring Ken in this manner.
