During the pre-game show in DeathValley, the Golden Band from Tiger Land brings joy to thousands ofTiger fans with their explosive sounds and entertainingperformance. To maintain this incredible impact, band members workmany hours each week to perfect their Saturday night performance inDeath Valley.
    Tiger Band consists of 325 individualsincluding the 16 Golden Girls and 30 Color Guard members.
    They perform at all home games andselected away games and can be seen prior to home games rehearsingat the indoor football practice facility as well as in their paradeto the stadium prior to kickoff.
    In order to be selected into Tiger Band,one must perform a solo audition. Once selected, one receives a$640 scholarship for the fall semester. However, in order toreceive this scholarship, one must be enrolled in MUS 4250, sustaina 2.0 GPA and be enrolled as a full-time student, according totheir official Web site www.music.lsu.edu/~bands.
    Throughout the years, Tiger Band hasreceived prestigious awards for their strong talent and tradition.In fall 2002, they received the Sudler Award, which is consideredto be the “Heisman Trophy” among marchingbands.    
    This trophy is awarded to a collegemarching band for recognition for a long-standing tradition.
    The University has a strong historywithin the band department.
    The first band began in 1893 with only11 members and increased to approximately 250 during Huey P. Long’sreign as governor because of his commitment to have the greatestband in the land, to today’s 325 member strong marching unit,according to their Web site.
    This year, the band has marched off on agreat beat, according to Michael Vega, an agriculture sophomore andsecond-year member.
    ”This year, preseason has been betterthan before,” Vega said. “We expect to be louder this year. Eventhough we have the same number of members as before, we are morebrass-heavy.”
    According to Roy King, assistantdirector of bands and Tiger Band member during the late 70s and80s, only 25 percent of the Tiger Band is comprised of musicmajors.
    For many, being a member of Tiger Bandis an unforgettable opportunity.
    ”Being in Tiger Band was an experience Iwill never forget. I met a lot of interesting people, including mywife,” King said.
    Tiger Band members practice everyTuesday through Friday from 3:40 to 5:10 p.m. on their practicefield located across from Kirby Smith parking lot toward HighlandRoad.