The Golden Band from Tigerland solidified its place in TV history with an updated documentary, which aired Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The documentary, which aired on Louisiana Public Broadcasting, features the history of the band since its creation in 1893 to 1928, when former Gov. Huey P. Long transformed the Tiger Band into one of the most well-known marching bands in the country.
The documentary follows the Tiger Band through the century to the present day, with current Band Director Roy King and the building of the new band hall on Aster Street.
Dorothy Kendrick, LPB senior producer, said she produced a Tiger Band documentary in 2002 but felt the need to update it and make it “endure the test of time.”
“The great part about redoing it is we kept the best of the best and got rid of things that were very dated but were the weaker links in the program,” Kendrick said.
The documentary begins by setting the scene outside Tiger Stadium before a football game.
“The excitement builds at ‘Victory Hill.’ The band stops and begins to play the opening of the ‘Pregame Salute,'” says the opening lines of the documentary. “… It’s the kickoff to
another memorable night in Tiger Stadium.”
Kendrick said they interviewed King, Drum Major Chase Howard, Color Guard Captain Emily Brinks and Golden Girl Captain Danielle Hardy.
Kendrick also interviewed Tiger Band alumni, including a man who played during World War II and a woman who performed in the 1980s.
Tiffany Adler, a band member from 1981 to 1982, said the band uniforms were all designed for men during her time.
“The gals in the band really didn’t have well-fitting uniforms,” Adler said in the documentary. “I remember having black shoes, spats, socks, track shorts, the wool pants that were falling down, a belt, a T-shirt, a jacket, an overlay, a belt on top of that, a hat and the plume.”
Kendrick said this year could have been a turbulent one because former Band Director Frank Wickes and former Assistant Band Director Linda Moorhouse left the University last year.
Kendrick said nothing pulls fans together like Tiger Band, the most symbolic part of the University.
“The traditions of the University are carried out through that band, from the marches down ‘Victory Hill’ to the way every football game starts to the halftime performances to leading the cheers during the game,” Kendrick said.
LPB is airing the documentary during its pledge drive, a time when the network asks for donations. Kendrick said they like to air their best work during pledge drives, including the Tiger Band dsocumentary and a documentary of the Southern University band, also known as the “Human Jukebox.”
 
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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]