Behind the Sound: Gameday from a Sound of the South Member

Football season is finally here, which means the Trojans are gearing up to take on the Sun Belt Conference and beyond. However, there are other aspects of Troy Football that make the day extra memorable. 

Since my freshman year, I have been a member of the Sound of the South. Game day is just as busy and exciting for us as it is for the team. For us, game day is often a 15 hour day, at least. 

“Rattle, rattle, here come the cattle,” the Sousaphone section chants as they make their way around the field before morning rehearsal. This is a game day tradition, and a few sections have them. Rehearsal usually starts around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., sometimes earlier if it's an 11 a.m. game.  

Morning rehearsal typically lasts about an hour or two, and we get a break to go eat and change. The Sound of the South has a very strict uniform policy, including what we wear underneath the uniform: the current year’s band shirt, neutral-colored shorts, black gloves, black socks and our band shoes. If you don’t follow this, you won’t be allowed to march. 

While the band is on break, the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and sisters of Tau Beta Sigma begin their preparations for game day. These are the band service organizations, and they help game day run smoothly by loading equipment, distributing uniforms and food, as well as loading coolers into the stands.  

Uniform distribution starts in the early afternoon, with the help of Tau Beta Sigma. The uniforms are organized by sections, so all the band members have to do is find the right rack their uniform is on. The individual working the rack will hand the uniform over and keep track of who has picked their uniform up. 

Saturday’s game also meant the freshmen received their medallions at the medallion ceremony. The medallion goes on our uniform, and it’s a tradition for freshmen to receive theirs at a ceremony before the first game. Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., is there to give a speech and hand the freshmen their medallions with the help of Dr. Mark Walker and the uniform officers. 

On a normal game day, however, we will go right to sectionals after receiving and putting on our uniforms. Each section works on their music, while auxiliary warm up and practice their moves. This lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes before we have a concert on the quad, which is attended by fans and band parents alike. 

After the concert on the quad, we put on our helmets and head to Tailgate Terrace in a parade formation. We call this Trojan Walk. Once we get to Tailgate Terrace, we perform for the crowd until the team arrives, then we play the fight song for them and head into the stadium. 

Before they let the public into the stadium, the band gets catered dinners from Chick-Fil-A. Nothing hits the spot better than a chicken sandwich and an ice-cold Sprite from concessions.  

Once it’s time for pregame to begin, the band takes its place. The drumline, drum majors and dance line are on the field, while the rest of the band is either in the tunnel or the bowl. The members in the tunnel run out onto the field in formation while the members in the bowl run down the stairs. 

“And so, with mighty warriors clad in strongest armor,” says Paul McNeeley, the band’s longtime announcer. “And well prepared to receive the lot dealt by fate, the contest is at hand. 

“And the commander's spirit, raging for revenge, shall, in a monarch's voice, cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war.” 

The band proceeds to spell out the word “Troy,” where the national anthem and alma mater are performed. Then, we perform “TR” and “Go, Troy, Go” as we spell out “Trojans.” Finally, the pregame ends with us forming a big “T” and marching it down the field. The team runs through the big “T” as we play the fight song. 

In the stands, the band is pretty standard. We play shorter tunes after the team does something well and longer tunes during a timeout. We also dance to the music playing on the speakers and interact with the crowd (please do the wave with us).  

Halftime, which is usually cut short by a university showcase, is also pretty standard. Each year, we perform a different show, and it changes slightly from game to game. 

After the game, we head to the field for a post-game show. We perform for fans in the South endzone. Here, we perform music from the show, stand tunes and other staples from the Sound of the South. 

The Sound of the South ends their 15-hour day by dismissing, returning our uniforms and spending Sunday getting some well-needed rest. The band is an integral part of the gameday experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.