Tag: SOTS

Troy icon Johnny Long passes away at 94

News

(Photo/Troy University) Emma Daniel News Editor John M. Long, a Troy University icon, passed away Monday night at 94 years old. His health had been in decline for about a year. Long served as Troy’s band director from 1965-1996 and molded the Sound of the South into the award-winning and show-stopping band it is today. Johnny M. Long Hall and the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor both bear his name, along with John M. Long Avenue, that runs parallel to University Avenue. Under Long’s leadership, the sound of the south marched…

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New SOTS halftime show to debut during the first football game of the season

Trojan Living

(PHOTO/ Zenith Shrestha) The band has spent weeks preparing three different shows for this year’s football season. Andrea Hammack Staff Writer The Sound of the South (SOTS) is marching into the Vet this season with three separate shows at the ready.  “We are doing three shows this year,” said Mark Walker, director of bands. “For the first show, we are playing “Happy Together,” “Death of a Bachelor,” “Roaring 20s,” and “Jolene.” “The second show is the annual Salute to Veterans, and the third show will be a game show theme.”…

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SOTS excited to debut new halftime show at first home football game

Trojan Living

Madina Seytmuradova Staff Writer Troy University’s marching band, Sound of the South (SOTS), will perform its first football halftime show next weekend at the home opener against Alabama State. This year’s performance will feature four pieces: “Radar Love” by Golden Earring, “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley, the traditional folk song “House of the Rising Sun” and “Birdland” by Joe Zawinul in Maynard Fergusson’s arrangement. “So these songs, we thought that these were all fun tunes and that they would all go well together, but that it would also give us…

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Alum, musician remembered

News

Holly Ammons Photo Editor A Troy University alumna and former Sound of the South band member died the night of Sunday, Oct. 16. According to Opelika-Auburn News, Morgan Brooke Black­mon, 21, was the victim of a fatal single-vehicle crash on Hayes Mill Road, eight miles north of Tallassee. Blackmon was the passenger in a 2008 Ranger all-terrain vehicle that overturned at 7:28 pm Sunday. Police investigation of the accident continues. Blackmon, from Reel­town, marched with the SOTS saxophone section for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Sound of the South…

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SOTS opens doors for regional talent, hosts Band Day

Trojan Living

Draven Jackson Staff Writer Middle school and high school bands from all over the South joined Troy’s world-renowned “Sound of the South” on the field during the halftime break of Saturday’s football game. Band Day, an annual tradition since 1998, is a day where band members from regional middle schools and high schools can visit the campus and become familiar with Troy’s unique opportunities. “Band Day brings between 1,500 to 2,000 students, and they spend 12 hours here that day before the game,” said Adam Blackstock, associate professor of percussion.…

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