Simon Cotton
MC Contributor
The newest members of the Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South experienced their first football game this past weekend at the annual Southern Heritage Classic. This was the band’s football season debut and the new members were very excited that their first game was one of the biggest of the season.
Corina Cepeda, a freshman clarinetist with a biology pre-med major from McComb, Miss., said all she could think about while marching into Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium was getting her ramp right.
“It was just unbelievable. Marching in, I was surprised to see all those people,” said Cepeda.
Cepeda said that she joined the band because she thought that the Sonic Boom was the best band and that she loves everything the band stands for.
“Who wouldn’t want to be apart of the best?” Cepeda said.
Tisithia Knotts, another freshman clarinetist majoring in music education major from Jackson, Miss., said that it took a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment to get from band camp to this point, but that it was all worth it.
“Marching in, I was very excited when I first heard the percussion kick the cadence off. All I could feel was my blood rushing because I was very prepared for the game,” said Knotts.
Knotts said that she has been watching the band since she was a child and has always wanted to be apart of the band.
“Since I was a little kid, I always watched The Boom and it has been a dream for me to participate in this band. And just participating, I feel like I’ve accomplished something, but I know that it’s not over yet so I’m going to keep pushing for better,” said Knotts.
Giann Soto, a freshman trumpet player majoring in music education from Charlotte, N.C., said that he had a great first experience at the game and that he is looking to see what else he can learn as the season goes on.
“My experience thus far has been great. I’ve learned how to interact with people from different backgrounds and I’ve wanted to be in the band since I was 14, so my dreams have come true. I couldn’t ask for more,” said Soto.
Soto also said his reasons for joining the band were not only because of the Sonic Boom’s reputation, but because of his overall experience with marching bands over the years.
“I joined the band because I love music, I love playing trumpet, I want to be a band director, and I need the band. I learned so many things about life through band in high school and at the collegiate level. It’s molding me into a great person and I’ve made so many lifelong relationship with people I now call brothers or sisters through the band. The band, the music, the marching; it’s all my escape, aside from the passion I have for it,” said Soto.
The Sonic Boom’s next performance will take place this weekend as the band and football team travel to the Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. to battle Southern University at the annual Boombox Classic.
