Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band
The “Spirit of Northwestern” Marching Band is a focal point of pride at athletic events, in parades and at other University functions throughout the year. On the street or on the field, their regal purple and white uniforms reflect the class and spirit of one of the South’s oldest and finest educational institutions. Music and marching formations are a unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles. The development of leadership skills through excellence in musical performance, marching performance, scholastic achievement and social opportunity is merely one of the fringe benefits of membership. Band members have consistently won recognition on campus, are active in many campus organizations, and have traditionally had the highest grade point average among campus organizations.
Our ‘SON’ Marching Band boasts well over 300 members annually. Membership in the “Spirit of Northwestern” is open to all students, regardless of major. Approximately 60% of the members are not music majors. Other university bands open to membership are the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and numerous chamber groups.
Anthony Pursell
Director of Bands
Office: Bldg. 025A–Rm. 114
Phone: 318-357-5825
Email: pursella@nsula.edu
Mr. Dan McDonald
Assistant Director of Bands
Office: Bldg. 025A–Rm. 114A
Phone: 318-357-6722
Email: mcdonaldd@nsula.edu
Dr. Oliver Molina
Assistant Director of Bands
Office: Bldg. 025A–Rm. 120
Phone: 318-357-5989
Email: molinao@nsula.edu
Ms. Jena Elfer
Director of Demon Heat Colorguard
Email: elferj@nsula.edu
Mr. David Steele
Director of Demon Heat Colorguard
Email: steeled@nsula.edu
Ms. Brandi Chasteen
Director of Demon Dazzler Danceline
Email: chasteenb@nsula.edu
Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the Director. Spirit of Northwestern rehearsals are held on MWF, 3:30 to 5:20PM. During the fall semester, band students should also enroll in MUS 1300-45N (Pep Band) to receive credit for preseason rehearsals.
Pep Band
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the Conductor. Members of the Pep Band are required to attend all NSU Men’s and Women’s Basketball games and rehearsals as announced by the Conductor.
Concert Bands
Wind Symphony
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the Conductor. The Wind Symphony meets both in the fall and spring semesters and rehearses MWF, 12:30 to 1:50PM. This ensemble presents several concerts on campus, as well as often performs off-campus at conferences, on tour at high schools, and around the globe. The Wind Symphony was selected to perform at the 2019 World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) in Buñol, Spain and hosted and performed at the 2020 College Band Directors National Association/National Band Association Southern Division Conference.
Wind Ensemble
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the conductor. The Wind Ensemble rehearses MWF, 3:30 to 5:20PM, and presents several concerts on campus during the spring semester. The Wind Ensemble participated in a presentation given by Allan McMurray at the 2020 College Band Directors National Association/National Band Association Southern Division Conference.
Magale Concert Band
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the Conductor. The Symphony Band rehearses TR, 2:00 to 3:30PM and presents several concerts on campus during the spring semester.
Fredericks Concert Band
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the Conductor. The Symphony Band rehearses TR, 3:45 to 5:20PM and presents several concerts on campus during the spring semester.
Jazz Band
Open to all NSU students by audition and with the prior approval of the Conductor. Members of the Jazz Ensemble are required to adhere to all attendance, performance and conduct rules of the University Bands.
Open to all NSU students by audition and with approval of the Directors. The Demon Heat Colorguard rehearsals are held on MWF, 3:30 to 5:20pm and on T/TH, 3:30 to 5:30pm. During the fall semester, colorguard students should enroll in MUS 1300-45N (band camp), MUS 1300-01N, and MUS 1310-01N.
Winterguard
The Demon Heat Winterguard is open to students who have participated in the previous marching season and have successfully completed the audition requirements for the winter season. Winterguard rehearsals are MWF evenings, 5:30 to 8:30pm (rehearsal times are subject to change). Winterguard students should enroll in DAN 1140-45N and MUS 1310-04N.
The Demon Dazzlers serve as the official dance line for Northwestern State University. Performing for NSU Demon pep-rallies, football and basketball games, the Demon Dazzlers blend different styles of movement to produce a unique style of precision-jazz dance that sets this team apart from all others. During the fall semester, the Demon Dazzlers serve as an auxiliary unit of the “Spirit of Northwestern” Marching Band, accompanying them to various marching festivals, guest appearances, and football games both at home and selected away games. Dazzlers are also involved in the production of NSU’s Annual Christmas Gala and the Lady of the Bracelet Scholarship Pageant. In the Spring, Dazzlers perform at Prather Coliseum for Demon Basketball games and other community events. Members serve as ambassadors of NSU while participating in many different service projects on campus and in the Natchitoches community.
NSU Pre-Game (2008)
Star Spangled Banner (2008)
Power (Marching Band — 2007)
Ballade (Wind Ensemble — 2007)
Gavorkna Fanfare (Marching Band — 2007)
Chorale and Shaker Dance (Wind Ensemble — 2004)
Invictus (Symphony Band — 2004)
October (Wind Ensemble — 2004)
Blue Lake Overture and Shenendoah (Wind Ensemble — 2003
The Gallant Seventh March (Wind Ensemble — 2003)
Documents
Contact Us
Dr. Anthony Pursell
Director of Bands
Office: Bldg. 025A-Rm. 114B
Phone: 318-357-5825
Email: pursella@nsula.edu
If you are a high school or junior college band student looking for a truly outstanding college band with which to continue performing, now is the time to consider joining the “Spirit of Northwestern” Demon Marching Band!
To learn more about the NSU Band Program, text ‘music’ to 318-309-1048 or scan the QR code with your phone’s camera app.
Auditions for membership in the “Spirit of Northwestern” may be arranged on an individual basis. There are no set dates for auditions but students are encouraged to audition at the fall “N-Side View” (usually held in mid-November) or the spring “N-Side View” (usually held in early March). Otherwise, auditions may be arranged on an individual basis by emailing band@nsula.edu.
If you are planning on majoring in music, we prefer to arrange a “lesson” with the Northwestern State studio faculty member who is the professor of your instrument. The faculty member will meet you for about 45 minutes to hear you play music that you have prepared and to explain the requirements for performing in his/her studio. Students should be prepared to perform the etude or solo of their choice, as well as the 12-major scales and to sightread.
For future SON members who are majoring in an academic area other than music, a solo or etude that you feel demonstrates your finest performance is all that is required. The playing of scales and sightreading is not a part of the audition process for non-music majors.
Band performance scholarships, as well as out-of-state fee waivers, are available to all students who qualify. To receive the out-of-state fee wavier, students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA upon graduation from high school.
EXPENSES FOR MEMBERSHIP: All SON band members are expected to provide black marching band shoes, to purchase at least one set of “spirit socks” to be worn with the summer uniform and to pay a small fee for the summer uniform, which will remain with the student. Northwestern State University provides instruments and uniforms as well as paying for all transportation and meal expenses when the “Spirit of Northwestern” travels.
2024 NSU Drumline Auditions
Drumline audition clinics for the Fall 2024 season will be on April 27 and May 18. The auditions will begin at 9:00 am in the NSU Band Room. All auditioning members are required to attend one of the the audition days but are encouraged to attend both dates.
Audition materials can be found here
Please contact Dr. Oliver Molina at molinao@nsula.edu or 318-357-5989 for additional information.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to all students who participate in the “Spirit of Northwestern.” Band scholarships amounts are based on an audition, high school achievement and letters of recommendation. Working with the Financial Aid office and the Office of Admissions, students may be eligible for additional help that would cover the majority of their college expenses. Out-of-state fee waivers are also available to students who maintain a 2.5 GPA. For more information, contact Anthony Pursell, Director of Bands.
Auditions for the 2021 “Demon Dazzlers” will be held on April 17, 2021 in the dance studio (Room 132) of the CAPA building at Northwestern State University. Please see Northwestern State Spirit Group Auditions page for more information. Please email Mr. Dan McDonald, or Mr. Michael Lomeka for immediate additional information.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to all students who participate in the “Spirit of Northwestern.” Band scholarships amounts are based on an audition, high school achievement and letters of recommendation. Working with the Financial Aid office and the Office of Admissions, students may be eligible for additional help that would cover the majority of their college expenses. Out-of-state fee waivers are also available to students who maintain a 2.5 GPA. For more information, contact Dan McDonald, Interim Director of Bands, Oliver Molina, Assistant Director of Bands/Percussion, or Jeff Mathews, Director of Wind Ensemble.
I am so pleased to hear that you are interested in the colorguard at Northwestern State University. Our Demon Heat Colorguard is an active part of the Spirit of Northwestern marching band, and select members represent the university in winterguard competitions throughout the spring semester. Scholarships are available for both marching band and winterguard.
