The melodic hymns of the University’s “Golden Band from Tigerland” resonate with more than just Tiger fans.
In fact, the Huffington Post recently named Tiger Band to its list of the top marching bands in the nation.
Other bands on the list include Southeastern Conference rivals Texas A&M and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The list also included The Ohio State University, University of Texas, Florida A&M University and others.
University alumnus and former Tiger Band member Brett Thorne said Tiger fans witness greatness every Saturday during football season.
“Not only does the band have a long history of being top-notch, but it continues to be easily recognizable,” Thorne said. “Even though I used to be in Tiger Band, I am pretty sure that everyone’s hairs stand up when the band starts playing at the beginning of the fourth quarter. There are very few bands that can truly compete with LSU.”
Although there was no numerical ranking associated with Tigerband’s spot on the list, it was presented third on a list of 10. The slideshow cited the band’s multiple awards as a reason for its place on the list. In 2002, the John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the Sudler Trophy to Tiger Band “for its outstanding achievements.” According to the foundation’s website, the trophy honors “the close historical relationship and outstanding contribution of college marching bands to the American way of life.”
But Roy King, director of the Golden Band from Tigerland, said the band’s place on the list is an award in itself.
“The LSU Tiger Band is delighted to be selected as one of the top ten college marching bands of 2011-2012,” King said in a news release. “It is an honor to be in the company of the other marching bands who were selected. Congratulations to the directors, staff and students of these fine organizations for all the hard work they do to represent their universities in such a prestigious manner.”
The band is the largest and most visible organization on campus, according to its website. It has a closed membership of approximately 325 students and includes the Golden Girls and the Colorguard.
____ Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]