NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/06/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -The "Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band" will make its 2001 debut Saturday when the NSU Demons take on Henderson State.

According to Director of Bands Bill Brent, this year's edition of the "Spirit of Northwestern" will be the largest in school history with 312 members.

"We had the largest recruiting class ever and have more members coming back," said Brent. "We continue to attract outstanding players who are also outstanding students."

Members of this year's band have an average ACT score of 23 and represent 11 states and two foreign countries. Seventy percent of the band members are non-music majors, representing the overwhelming majority of degree programs at NSU.

"The program continues to attract top students because of the reputation that has been established over the years," said Brent, who is in his 19th year at Northwestern. "We have also graduated a number of music education majors who have gone on to successful careers and have told their students about the opportunities here."

Brent also credited NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb for his support of the program by making scholarships available as well as the Office of Admissions and Recruiting which maintains close contact with perspective students.

The band will open the season with part of a Tribute to Duke Ellington. They will perform the remainder of the show at halftime of next week's game with Gardner-Webb. The "Spirit of Northwestern" will do the entire show during the Demons' game at TCU. For Homecoming, they do a program, "Soul Sisters." The final show will be a "Weather Show" with tunes such as "Blue Skies" and "Stormy Weather."

This weekend, the band will host high school bands from throughout the region.

On Friday, Nov.16 at 7 p.m., they will host the Second Annual Band Jamboree in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. The indoor concert will include all of the music performed by the band during the season. A CD of band music will also be available.

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