USC’s marching band got a new director Thursday. Members of our band were ecstatic upon hearing this news, and we have to admit we’re pretty excited, too.
Former director Steve McKeithen has been replaced by Rebecca Phillips, and we believe that this change of perspective may be just what our band needs. Phillips has been here since 2007 as a professor and the associate director of bands. She has also worked with Louisiana State University’s band, one of the most respected in the SEC. But most importantly, she has a new vision, and she has new plans. We students like to believe we have a voice, and it’s always good news to us when the university listens to what we say and acts upon it. We’ve all seen our hard-working band a bit stagnant for a while, something that has been frustrating for many. However, this restructuring may be exactly what is needed to bring our band up to where it should be.
But hiring a new director isn’t the only thing USC administrators have done. They’ve formed a committee to help improve our band, a measure that shows they are just as dedicated to seeing improvement as we are.
We’re all looking forward to what is to come for the Mighty Sound of the Southeast. With a new director, a new committee and some new ideas, we expect to see improvement. A great university and nationally recognized athletic teams deserve to be complemented with a phenomenal marching band. Similarly, the band deserves the best from the university and support from the student body. We can’t wait for football season; we’re ready to cheer wholeheartedly as a revamped group of musicians take the field and make our university proud.
USC is marching in the right direction.