JakeMusicMan Reacts | JSU Marching Southerners 2023

[@triondrummers]

For a little context (from an alum of the group), the Southerners are very much a corps style marching band which is rare in the college world. The format of a Southerners show is generally always the same. Opener, Ballerina Tune, Ballad, Closer. The marching Ballerinas haven been a staple of the band since its inception in 1956. There is very little drill in that tune to give them a chance to shine. This years show was a celebration of the 30 years that Dr. Bodiford has been the Director of Bands at JSU. these were all songs from shows in that 30 years. Great to see new people find this band so many of us hold dear. P.S. for a real tearjerker of a show, watch the 2016 show.

[@christopherwilliams5656]

Thanks for all the kind words! It’s an honor being apart of this group. Blow Southerners! (From a member of the trumpet line)

[@tomatopotato5890]

You are not a member of the trumpet line

[@crazycooper1024]

@@tomatopotato5890Oh shoot!

[@calebwmsgolf]

@@tomatopotato5890your mom is not a member of the trumpet line

[@JohnnyRojasmartinez]

@@calebwmsgolfYour dad’s not a member of the Marching Southerners Trumpet line

[@garywithers7547]

The low brass sound can be attributed to a decision made many years ago. They march with the C.G. Conn 20-J upright recording bass. Not many of those around with marching bands.

[@joelynnlockhart5246]

Thanks for all the kind words, so proud to be apart of this amazing program!! (member of the flute line)

[@SJ12]

Best marching band I’ve ever seen in person

[@scottwaldo]

WHAT!!! I did not expect to see you here SJ

[@SJ12]

@@scottwaldo 😂

[@dannysparks698]

See them live. Seriously. As an alum from the '70s, I can tell you the Southerners have been bringing it for years. See them the 16th of December in New Orleans at the New Orleans Bowl!

[@jannacopeland8696]

The Southerners preform at high school competitions to inspire students to come to JSU.

[@gabebell6372]

I'm on the drumline for the Marching Southerners, it's dope to see someone react to us online!

[@jakemusicman]

It was my pleasure! You guys were great!

[@calebwmsgolf]

So honored to be a southerners alum and seeing us get the recognition from non-JSU people is the stuff that dreams are made on

[@crazycooper1024]

I agree!!

[@noahcameron186]

You should come see it live! Our last show is November 18th! Jacksonville Alabama! I promise you will not regret it!

[@jakemusicman]

I’d love to, but I live in Michigan, so I don’t think that’s going to happen 😅

[@crazycooper1024]

@@jakemusicmanDamn bro. You’d absolutely LOVE it bro. It sounds even better in real life!

[@jannacopeland8696]

You have to know the history of this last song. Written and arranged y former band director Dr. David Walters. He was amazing.

[@jannacopeland8696]

I was a Marching Ballerina in 1975-1976.

[@tuckforpresident]

glad you were able to react to us ❤ ( member of the bari sax line )

[@abbiebeatty3133]

Watch the 2019 BOA Grand Nationals performance!! And the 2016 show Heroes Lost and Fallen for a truly emotional experience

[@Constable_Chud]

I was on the outside end of the quadline in 2016. I absolutely loved performing Heroes, despite the gigantic step-size in the first diagonal push of the Opener where it's the quadline and the brass together carrying the melody. 😂 That part was always rough on the ol' hips and calves- that, and freezing in place at the end of the 'Rina Tune/start of the ballad.

[@Constable_Chud]

Fun fact: 8:38 in the closer (the little battery fill) is actually a rehashing of the segment right before the "William Tell Overture" in 2015's opener segment. I know that because I know the accenting pattern of it with marching cymbals, having marched that very segment in 2015. 1,2, crash, four 1, 2, crash, four 1, 2, slide-choke, four and crash 2, 3- 🎶badadum, badadum, badda-dum-dum-dum🎶 (to which we held right cymbal up at vert' in front of our faces and the left one went behind to make us all horsies, giddy-up, hyaaah- we even teeter-tottered our forward march to make ourselves look like rocking horses lol) My last year marching was 2016 with the quadline, and it was an absolute blast. Very, very different dynamics across both seasons. That said, if you have the chance to march cymbals/'plates' with JSU, do it. It's not a punishment- it will build your understanding and make you into a better percussionist with synergy for your peers. _Every_ position in that ensemble matters.

[@madisonu525]

So glad you got to hear us and enjoyed it! This was my last season in Southerners (played on the clarinet line from 2019-2023)

[@TheCandiLachey]

@Jake definitely watch and listen to a FULL show of this group including their warmup on the field with Salvation and The Stars Fell on Alabama…..the warmup itself will give your goosebumps goosebumps, not even gonna lie. And to watch them in person will totally BLOW YOUR MIND!!

[@candidolucas4347]

You should react to the Gadsden City high school marching titan band

[@MusicNerd2014]

You need to experience it in person! Come on down to Jacksonville, AL to a football game. I would also recommend looking at Western Carolina University and University of North Alabama if you want to see more competitive styled shows for college bands.

[@freglusdougson1737]

Traveling to see the Southerners is worth it. Video and audio does not do them justice.

[@tristinsean7222]

i have a lot of buddies that are in the southerners as well as my band director. im hoping to march there next year 😊

[@JohnnyRojasmartinez]

You should definitely react to the JSU Marching Southerners video when it comes when they go to perform in New Orleans next weekkkkkkk!

[@khunkhao399]

Southerner from '83 and '84. Had the good fortune of marching with Ken in his first year at JSU. Went to three games this year. I will be back.

[@JamesSalter-ge6kk]

Thanks for the review as a father of 1 Marching Southerner soon to be 2 Marching Southerners in the fall.

[@noahgipson8641]

Thank you for your reaction! I know all of us are appreciative and from a guard captain and someone who used to march trombone, it's so nice to see people in the band world give us our flowers.

[@maggiecamp5369]

Nothing like watching them live though. Being a band nerd from a small town just a short drive from JSU seeing these guys was a dream come true.

[@mikehicks9488]

Thanks for reviewing the Marching Southerners. My chose Jax State solely to have an opportunity to be a part of what many consider to the be the best marching band program on the planet. Most football stadiums are half empty at half time as people visit the concession stands and restrooms. At Jax State, no one leaves their seats until half time is over. We can watch the football on TV, but go to at least a couple of games each year to watch the band.

[@No-ir4kf]

My high school marching band got to go watch them practice and saw a full run through right infront of our face it's was awesome! (ashvile hight school is my school)

[@crazycooper1024]

Thx for reaction bro! We’re so glad you reacted to us!!

[@jakemusicman]

You’re very welcome!

[@Vyper-Hyper]

Is that who I think it is 🤨

[@jeremyspoons7222]

Thanks for the awesome commentary! When I was in school there, 2004- 07, the football was kind of spotty - we were always pretty good but not anywhere near what they've got cooking there now. But it was these Marching Southerners that absolutely blew my mind and melted my face and addicted me forever to JSU football games. "We never lost a halftime" is something often said. Getting teared up, as you mentioned, is a huge part of the show, and this is basically the exact same type program they put on for halftime. Also it's super unique that there's a core of fans that basically are there to watch the Southerners and we all stand and scream our heads off for em like it's a winning touchdown. It's a feeling that is seen, heard, and felt. When they turn and blast at the crowd, they call it "Park and blow," it's absolutely insane the power of it. The bass is 20- J's not tubas, the 20Js are said to be cantankerous, heavy and difficult and DAMN do they lay down a thick bass bottom end

[@jonathanray1736]

I marched with the Southerners in the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 season. Thank you so much for this!

[@oliviacom71]

i would to see your opinion on the 2023 UNA marching pride from florence al!

[@jeremyspoons7222]

UNA band is absolutely incredible, also. Not as big a group, but just as long on musical ability and musicality. Nothing but great things I feel for the North Alabama band. This coming from a die hard Jax Stater. My opinion the 2 best in state easily. Of course I consider the Southerners the best band in the land. But UNAs band is absolutely incredible.

[@jannacopeland8696]

The focus should be on the dancers.