Know a prospective Demon when you see one? Help us get the word out.
NSU Bands has plenty of scholarships to help students achieve their dreams and develop life-long memories
New faces, new ideas, new challenges, and a new look; it was a busy summer here in Natchitoches as we prepared the 2024 version of the Spirit of Northwestern.
Welcome to the Spirit of Northwestern Alumni Newsletter. This project is way overdue, however, I am thankful we are able to bring you information to keep you informed and connected to our university and our beloved program.
night for student safety, they are always open for the SON and its alumni
One of the first things you will notice when you see the SON on the road at an exhibition or in the stands in Turpin Stadium is our new Director of Athletic Bands - NSU alumnus, Trevor Bailey. I am so thankful to not only have him bring his experiences from Reno to Western Carolina to the SON, I am also thankful for his prior service during his time in Natchitoches. His passion for our program and its students is unmatched and it has already had a positive
impact with our students and their performances. As I am writing this, he is plugging away at our second field show of the season and finding a way to engage the students and directors who will participate in Classic on the Cane. All I can tell you at this time is that this show will turn heads and will be something
our alumni will be proud of. I am thankful for the energy he brings to the SON and for his collegiality and you will undoubtedly feel the same when you visit. While the gates may close at night for student safety, they are always open for the SON and its alumni. I hope you will visit us soon and experience his energy.
In addition to the excitement that we are currently experiencing with the SON, there are a few items that we are equally proud of. In January 2024, we celebrated our students and program with the SON Awards Banquet at the beautifully renovated Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. This annual event will be a very welcomed celebration of the hard work and dedication of our current students. It is also a way for them to celebrate and honor the legacy of those who preceded their time in the SON (more about the Ring of Honor later in this newsletter).
This summer the William E. Brent Band Room received a makeover. We plan to continue upgrading and beautifying our space this winter and next summer. Check out the transformation in the video on the next page. Since the return of students in August for the SON band camp, there has been so much going on and at a rapid rate. This newsletter intends to keep you up-to-date with those things happening on campus and with your SON. It is my hope that this newsletter will be one way to reconnect with our passionate alumni. We plan to have one newsletter in the Spring (available in February), a special Summer edition (available in May), and a Fall edition (available in October). We will share this with you all via an email address and our social media pages (Spirit of Northwestern Alumni Band on Facebook).
Help us stay connected with you by sending us your contact information. Click here for a short Google Form.
In closing, higher education is going through some major challenges and NSU is certainly not excluded. Enrollment challenges since COVID have begun to level out and we are rebuilding, slowly and securely; however, a more silent challenge is already upon us related to national birth rates from the economic crash of 2008. The impact from fewer births during that time has now crept its way into our efforts to recruit students. Enrollment managers across the country often refer to this as the “Death Spiral”, a decrease of available high school students that is supposed to continue to dip until 2026. Needless to say, it will take all of us to make sure that the SON and NSU are not impacted. We would greatly appreciate our alumni helping us by continuing to positively support our students’ efforts and delivering productive suggestions to better the experience for all. Our changing world will continue to make us think critically about those things we need to offer. The SON may look a little different because of this, but with your love, support, and loyalty, there is nothing that can stop the heartbeat of NSU from continuing just as strong as you left it.
Fork ‘em, SON alumni!
Anewera Director of Athletic bands
Trevor Bailey, BM ‘10 to lead SON in redesigned band program
I am honored to be the new Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at NSU. It is the honor of my lifetime to lead this organization into a new era filled with possibility and positivity.
Being a member of the SON changed my life for the better. It inspired me to become more disciplined. It encouraged me to reach beyond my expectations. It transformed me into a better human being. That’s what I would like it to do for the next generation of band students.
Northwestern State University is a wonderful institution and as alumni, we have the ability to make the good even better. How can you help?
Wear more purple, attend NSU gatherings & athletic events, Reconnect with your fellow band alumni, speak kindly of the school and band program, and if at all possible, find ways to volunteer your time or support us financially as you are able.
I look forward to getting to know each of you. Please know that this place will also be home and you’re welcomed anytime.
Fork Em, Trevor Bailey
Trevor Bailey with the SON in 2006
Alumni Spotlight
From
criminal
justice to
business administration, Evan McCormick lives life today very different than he originally planned
Evan McCormick (MUED ‘08) was near the end of his Business Administration degree when a few influential words of wisdom from Mr. Brent helped him discover his true passion. This passion and those words allowed a career to flourish for over 15 years since being in the SON. “I was on my third interview with Wells Fargo but something did not feel right. BB pulled me into his office and asked to name the faculty of the business dept. He then he asked me to name the professors in the music department. With the business department, I struggled to name very many; but with the music faculty, I named a ton of folks. He helped get my courses lined up to get my degree done as quick as possible and made me an undergrad assistant where I was helping with SON and purple haze bands. That conversation made me realize my true passion and opened up a world for me that I have enjoyed since.
Alumni Northwestern Stay Connected Spirit of
Years in SON: Fall 2001 - Fall 2008
Major: Associates in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Music Education
Position(s) in SON: Trombone, Drum Major, Undergraduate Assistant Director of Purple Haze
Greatest SON Memory: My first year with the band we went to TCU and beat them! On the way back a group of us were walking through one of the neighborhoods playing the fight song as loud as possible! I am also excited about the SON going to a saints game and being on the field. It was AWESOME
What Are You Doing Now: I am in my 15th year of teaching music with the majority of that time spent with the Benton High School Band.
Words of Wisdom for the Current SON Members: Enjoy every second of your time with the SON because it goes WAY too fast. Some of my greatest memories are spending time with my SON family.
Alumni in Training
New fanfare for SON pregame brings current students into the giving-back mindset prior to graduation
James Turner Sugg, junior music education major from Henderson, Texas, has brought a very special skillset to the table since his arrival in Fall 2022. While he is a very talented bassoonist, mellophone player, and member of the flute ensemble, Turner has enjoyed breaking out the manuscript paper and jotting down a few melodies that seem to resonate with his colleagues and the music faculty at Northwestern State.
During the summer, Turner was approached to add something to the SON pregame show to tie in current student giving and our alumni. “I originally composed a work for the brothers of Theta Nu (KKY) and there was interest in expanding this into a collaborative effort with the five organizations within CAPA (KKY, TBS, PMA, SAI, and NAfME). Dr. Pursell also wanted to have our organizations serve as a reminder of the giving that the current students do each day; serving the SON through our work ethic, loyalty, and service to the university.”
From that moment, Fanfare for the Bond would become the work that serves as that reminder of the great work of our current students and the work that will be the bond that transitions them from students to alumni - or alumni in training. You can experience the work each pregame between the two traditional Pregame Sequences.
#thankyouson
Social media campaign brings attention to the benefits of being a member of the Best Soundin’ Band in the Land
We all have a story to tell. The first time you stepped on to the Proving Grounds, the horns up of your first pregame, meeting new friends, getting ‘the look’ from one of the directors (likely as a result of that horns up at pregame), perhaps meeting your spouse - everyone has a story to tell about their experience at Northwestern State and as a member of the SON. Even if you only remember the fun of marching in the
heat, the rain, or marching in the heated rain, we hope your experience in the SON was special. This campaign makes it easy to share these experiences with a new generation of Demons who are on the field today - likely marching in the heated rain!
The #thankyouSON campaign is your opportunity to share, with the current members and other alumni, what made the SON special during your time at NSU. This digital time capsule on social media will help current members see the benefits of their hard work while executing that work each day. For many of you who had your time in the SON, I am sure that you have wished a time or two that, “...if I only knew then what I know now... ” This is your chance to help those current members get to know those benefits now.
Please consider joining the campaign by tagging a message on your social media that will encourage future generations to embrace the SON like you did, and see what treasures lie in waiting for all the work that goes into their daily rehearsals and performances. We thank you in advance for advocating for the Spirit of Northwestern and ensuring that your legacy and your spirit that made Northwestern continues to shine in today’s Demons.
Celebrating 10 years
Dr. Molina’s time at Northwestern nears 10th anniversary with a potentially new favorite show
I hope this message finds you well. As the Assistant Director and a proud member of the NSU Band Program for the past ten years, I’m thrilled to share updates from this exciting season. Despite challenges like COVID, staff changes, and more over the years, this year ’ s marching season has been filled with growth and energy. Under the leadership of NSU alum Trevor Bailey, we are working hard to bring fresh life to our performances while honoring the traditions that have made the Spirit of Northwestern such an integral part of our campus for decades.
In early September, we hosted the first-ever Drums on the Cane Drumline Clinic and Contest. While Texas hosts many similar events, this was the first of its kind in Louisiana, featuring marching percussion sections from across the region. Each group had 20 minutes to perform, followed by an on-field clinic, with scores and comments provided by judges in the press box. In its inaugural year, the event welcomed eight groups, with Haughton High School, directed by NSU alum Joel Burris, taking first place, and Texas High School, led by another NSU alum, Emily Goff, coming in second. We’re excited to build on this success and make Drums on the Cane an annual event, providing a platform for high school percussion sections as they prepare for competition season.
Looking ahead, I’m especially excited about our second show and the creative collaboration behind it. While my favorite Spirit of Northwestern show is “Hereauxs” from 2019, this new production is quickly becoming a top contender. It’s one you won’t want to miss. I’d like to extend a warm invitation to all alumni to join us at an upcoming performance, whether it’s at Homecoming, the Christmas Festival Parade, or one of our concerts at Magale Recital Hall. We’d love to see you there!
Thank you for your unwavering support and for being part of the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band family. Together, we continue to make music, memories, and history.
Ring of honor established
New SON Awards Banquet to Honor Current Students and Alumni Contributors
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 awards banquet was created to celebrate the current members of the SON and to honor special guests. Attending the awards banquet were members of the Spirit of Northwestern, current music faculty, and some special guests, including retired directors Ken Green, Jeff Mathews, and Bill Brent.
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:
Joseph Adams
Juan Angulo Arrieta
Jack Blair
Juan Castilla
Graviela Chavez
Cecelia Cousins
Jessica DuBose
Colby Grayson
Armonie Haywood
Austin Head
Barrett Hodgson
Dillon Humphries
John Jefferson
Carley Johnson
Molly Laird
Eli McFadden
Breanna Melanson
Chileigh Mitchell
The evening concluded by recognizing the inaugural class of the Ring of Honor. 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. Brent and Dr. Mathews’ leadership in guiding the SON from 1983 to 2021. Students indicted by their peers included Konnor Thibodeaux and McKenzie Ryer.
Leah Morace
Emily Murphy
Luke Niedens
Izzy Plauche
Breanna Raygoza
Brendan Ritter
McKenzie Ryer
Sadoc Silva
Matthew Spencer
Jack Stanley
Blake Taggert
Ariel Theriot
Konnor Thibodeaux
Mason Trumps
Jewell Wheeler
Mikayla Williams
Ashanta Wilson
Words from Mr.Brent
GREETINGS ALUMNI OF THE “SON”!
Another exciting academic year has begun which means that the “Spirit of Northwestern” has returned to campus and, by the time you receive this newsletter, several outstanding performances by the SON have already been presented in Turpin Stadium.
This fall marks the beginning of the 3rd year Dr. Anthony Pursell has served as the Director of Bands at NSU and he has brought a return of much needed energy, enthusiasm and pride to the SON. I could not be more pleased. If you have not yet met Dr. Pursell, I urge you to reach out to him by email or to visit with him if you happen to be on campus.
I’m also truly excited that a former member of the SON and NSU graduate, Mr. Trevor Bailey, has joined the staff of the SON as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands. Trevor has many outstanding accomplishments in his young career and I know he shares a similar love that many of you have for the SON.
Dr. Oliver Molina continues his excellent work with the NSU Drum Line (and has an outstanding percussion studio!) and Ms. Jena Effler and Mr. David Steele continue their leadership with the “Demon Heat” Colorguard.
“Ms. Ladell” has retired and is enjoying her gardening and she recently adopted “Caliah” from the local Humane Society. Caliah weights 90 pounds and evidently has the run of the house and yard. Ms. Ladell has spoiled her just as she spoiled us!
“Ms. Ladell” has retired and is enjoying her gardening and she recently adopted “Caliah” from the local Humane Society. Caliah weights 90 pounds and evidently has the run of the house and yard. Ms. Ladell has spoiled her just as she spoiled us!
I’m sure many of you know that Mr. Ken Green, who was the Associate Director of Bands and Professor Percussion at NSU for a number of years, recently retired. What you may not be aware of is that he was recently diagnosed with cancer and is at home in New York recovering from surgery and undergoing chemo therapy. I know he would appreciate your keeping him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period.
By creating this newsletter, Dr. Pursell is making a concerted effort to reach out to the former members of the SON and to let you know that he appreciates the legacy that you helped create as member of the University Bands. I hope you will “get involved” by attending performances when you can, following the SON on Facebook and Instagram and by watching the “Livestream” of concert performances throughout the year. When you return to campus, be sure to visit the “refreshed” band room where 39+ years of band pictures are now mounted on the walls where they can easily be seen! In addition, I hope you will consider attending “Homecoming” which is on the weekend of October 26th.
In closing, let me express to each of you my gratitude and sincere appreciation for your support of Northwestern State University and especially, the “Spirit of Northwestern”. I have many fond memories of great performances that were only possible due to your dedication to excellence, and many hours of often “hot” rehearsals!
Further, I appreciate the opportunity to stay in touch with so many of you by email, texts and phone calls. Knowing that many of you still enjoy wonderful friendships that were formed during your time in the SON gives me great pleasure. In addition, it is gratifying to follow many of you on social media and to see how you have grown into adults making positive contributions in a busy and often hectic world.
I will always cherish the opportunity I had to serve as the director of bands of “the best sounding band in the land, The Spirit of Northwestern”.
FORK’EM
Bill Brent 18
Invitational Band Festival
Highlighting Excellent Performances with Excellent Experiences in Magale
The Concert Ensembles at Northwestern State University and several high schools are treated to a tremendous opportunity each Spring with the Invitational Band Festival. Began in the Spring 2023 with composer-in-residence, Julie Giroux, the festival invites several high schools from around the region to perform on the stage in Magale Recital Hall. After a public performance by each group, the composer and a clinician go to the stage and work with the students. The evening is capped with a performance by the NSU Wind Symphony featuring works by the invited composer. Spring 2024 featured the talented Katahj Copley, with Frank Tracz serving as clinician.
Recital Hall
Katahj with the Wind Symphony in rehearsal
Frank Tracz leading the conducting class during the Invitational Band Festival
Katahj leading the Wind Symphony
Katahj working with graduate conductor, Jessica Breaux
Katahj working with the Percussion Ensemble
NSU Alumnus, Mark Minton and the Parkway Band
NSU Alumnus, Robbie Freeman and the West Monroe Band
NSU Alumnus, Evan McCormick and the Benton Band
Band Office Staff with Frank Tracz and Katahj Copley
