ENSEMBLES
Leading the Charge with Precision and Power
Marching Band "The Sonic Boom of the South"
The “Sonic Boom” has performed many halftime appearances for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, and Cincinnati Bengals; a television special for Motown 30th Anniversary and the 34th NAACP Image Awards, with a special guest performance by “Cedric the Entertainer.” The band is a favored entry in halftime performances during football season as well as for parades across Mississippi and in other states. The Jackson State University Marching Band was dubbed “The Sonic Boom of the South” in 1971 by students in the band. In 1974, the band’s theme, “Get Ready,” an old Motown favorite was selected, and three years after that, the “Tiger Run-On” was perfected. The “Tiger Run-On” is a fast, eye-catching shuffle that blends an adagio step with an up-tempo shuffle, then back to adagio—a “Sonic Boom” trademark that brings fans to their feet during halftime performances.
The Jackson State University Marching Band provides music for athletic events, selected parades, and ceremonial occasions primarily during the Fall Semester. Also, as an academic class, the marching band provides a laboratory experience for music education majors. Currently, the band 300-members Jackson State University Marching Band; “The Sonic Boom of the South,” backed by a Legendary drum line nicknamed “War and Thunder,” led by the Jackson Five Drum Majors, and the high-stepping Prancing J-Settes (Dance Line).
Vision
While maintaining the rich traditions of the program and propelling it forward, we will strive to be one of the top music programs in the nation that fosters effective thinkers, high character, active learners, proficient musicians and future alumni.
Mission
To create a positive culture of people/musicians through the medium of music while being the leaders in band pageantry, discipline, and musicality as a result of staying true to our band pledge (We pledge to serve as ambassadors of goodwill for Jackson State University; presenting ourselves as a showcase of musical excellence, elegance, esprit de corps and dignity. Love the Boom!)
Where Musical Mastery Meets Artistic Expression
Ensembles
Our ensembles highlight the diverse talents and dedication of our university’s musicians, spanning a wide range of styles and genres. From classical performances to energetic pep rallies, each group offers unique opportunities for students to grow, collaborate, and share their love for music with the community. Explore the variety of ensembles below and experience the vibrant musical culture they create.
The Wind Ensemble (Band) is the premiere performing ensemble of the Jackson State University band program. The Wind Ensemble consists of talented students majoring in music and other disciplines throughout the University. The Wind Ensemble performs a wide range of orchestral transcriptions and original band compositions representing various musical styles, and periods. Emphasis, however, is placed on the standard band literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Jackson State’s Wind Ensemble has been recognized for its long legacy of outstanding musical accomplishments. In 1965, under the baton of William W. Davis, the Symphonic Band performed at the New York World’s Fair, becoming the first historical African-American college to perform at a world’s fair.
Since the landmark New York World’s Fair performance, the Wind Ensemble has performed at many events throughout the country. A few of the most notable performances by the symphonic wind ensemble are as follows: In 2007, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble accompanied Dr. Otis Murphy, professor of saxophone, Indiana University in the performance of Fantasia for Alto Saxophone and Band by Claude T. Smith and Persuasion for Alto Saxophone and Band by Sammy Nestico; The Biennial Conference of the National Association for the Study and Performances of African American Music, Jackson, Mississippi, 2007; The Eighteenth Annual Humanities Festival, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi, 2007; The Northeast Louisiana Fine Arts Festival, Monroe, Louisiana, 1999; The National Black Music Caucus, Atlanta, Georgia, 1997; and The National Black Music Caucus, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1995. As the cornerstone of the Jackson State University’s band program, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Band) is recognized as a “national treasure” and a “benchmark” for musical excellence. The Wind Ensemble (Band) is frequently invited to perform at numerous events throughout the nation and the Jackson State University service area.
Symphonic Band is organized at the close of the football season. The Symphonic Band is open to all qualified students at Jackson State University who are interested in the study and performance of the literature for the concert and symphonic bands. All marching band members not participating in the Wind Ensemble or Orchestra are required to enroll in the Concert Band Class during the Spring Semester. The Symphonic Band Class is only offered during the Spring Semester.
Concert Band is organized at the close of the football season. The Concert Band is open to all qualified students at Jackson State University who are interested in the study and performance of the literature for the concert and symphonic bands. All marching band members not participating in the Symphonic Band or Orchestra are required to enroll in the Concert Band Class during the Spring Semester. The Concert Band Class is only offered during the Spring Semester.
The woodwind ensemble is a performance organization designed to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of repertoire specifically for woodwind instruments. The ensemble consists of music and non-music majors.
The Brass Ensemble is a performance organization designed to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of repertoire specifically for Brass instruments. The ensemble consists of music and non-music majors.
The Brass Ensemble is a performance organization designed to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of repertoire specifically for Brass instruments. The ensemble consists of music and non-music majors.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the passion and talent of our ensembles in action! Whether it’s the power of the marching band, the artistry of our concert groups, or the energy of the pep band, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come be part of the music and feel the excitement firsthand!
Pep Band
The Pep Band is organized during the Spring Semester to provide music and to enhance the festive activities of athletic events. The group performs primarily at basketball games and other community events.
