SEUS 2026 in the books

The John M. Long School of Music welcomed middle and high school students onto campus for a three-day honor band clinic over the weekend. 

The Southeastern United States Honor Band Clinic (SEUS) lasted from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7 and allowed middle and high school band students the opportunity to show off their skills under the command of guest conductors. The event also featured performances by Troy University’s Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Band and contemporary music group POPulus. The focus, though, was the growth of the students. 

“ I thought this was going to be much harder than it actually was,” said Christian Breeland, a junior and tuba player from Walton Highschool. “I guess if you just try hard enough, nothing's hard. 

“I can do things I never thought I could do before and see what else I can do next.” 

Another student was allowed up to the front of the stage to be a guest student conductor as only a sophomore in high school. 

“It was new,” said Lucyana Albores, a clarinetist and drum major from Mosley High School.

“It was a little scary, because I've never conducted concert band before, because I was a drum major for marching band, and that is a lot different than concert conducting, because its marching is a lot stiffer, and you can express emotion, but you're farther away so people can't see you as up close and personal. 

“Concert conducting is more expressive and more personal. It was a fun experience, and I was nervous, but it was great, I'm glad I got to have the opportunity.” 

A mother of one of the other students there also said she is grateful for her son to have the opportunity to be involved in SEUS. She believes it helps him not only musically, but socially. 

“Our son was very timid,” said Megan Brezina, a mother of one of the students in his third year of attendance at SEUS. “He’s always been the life of the party when it comes to telling jokes, but otherwise he’s very laid back and kind of just does his own thing.  

“As a band mom who spends a lot of time with the kids in our band program, to watch him develop long lasting friendships is one of the most important things to me. For us to walk on this campus, and for him to be greeted by alumni, who are no longer a part of our program, but are here, participating. They greet him, and they love on him, and they show up for him.” 

Albores also praised the social aspect of the clinic, crediting it for her ability to adapt to different environments, people and even cultures. 

“Coming to Seuss and being in an honor band with people from other schools -- it helps you get used to meeting new people and interacting with different kinds of characters and people from all over wherever: all over the state, all over the country, the world,” Albores said. “And so, you're not just used to just the people in your hometown and you get to explore a lot of different things.” 

The same is true of the college experience in general: the mingling of people from different places, and SEUS gave students a sneak peek into what their future in college band may look like. 

To find out more about the band, visit @official_sots on Instagram.