Band
The Department of Music offers a variety of bands that perform a wide range of repertoire and cater to both music majors and non-music majors.
Musical Excellence
Ole Miss Bands is composed of music majors as well as students from diverse courses of study such as Pre-Med, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Political Science, Journalism and countless others. We offer competitive scholarships for students of every major in the University, contingent upon funding.
Band ensembles
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is our premier Concert Ensemble. Most of the students are music majors. This ensemble will represent our program and perform at events such as the MBA Clinic and C.B.D.N.A. Conferences. It performs two concerts each semester.
Conducted by Dr. Tim Oliver
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band consists of a majority of students who are music major students but with many accomplished non-music majors contributing to this ensemble. This ensemble will perform at the Mid-South Honor Band along with Wind Ensemble and The Mississippians. This ensemble performs 2 concerts in the spring semester.
Conducted by Professor Randy Dale
Concert Band
The Concert Band consists of a majority of non-music majors. This ensemble performs one concert in the spring semester.
Conducted by Professor Mel Morse
Campus Band
The Campus Band consists of a majority of non-music majors and music majors performing on secondary instruments. This ensemble performs one concert in the spring semester.
Graduate Students supervised by Dr. Tim Oliver conduct this ensemble.
Pride of the South
Pride of the South is our marching band at the University of Mississippi, consisting of more than 300 students from across the campus. Whether performing at The Grove, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, or at a Bowl Game, Pride of the South brings unmatched school spirit and energy everywhere they go.
Sound of the 'Sip
Sound of the 'Sip electrifies the crowds at Men's and Women's Basketball games throughout the season, working seamlessly with Spirit Squads to enhance the gameday atmosphere. Members can earn additional scholarships and travel opportunities to SEC and NCAA tournaments.
Welcome to Band
Welcome to one of the premier university band programs in the nation – the Ole Miss Bands! In addition to musical excellence in the concert hall and athletic arena, our bands also provide an instant feeling of belonging and the opportunity to form life-long friendships. We are super excited to collaborate with you as your musical journey in the band continues here at Ole Miss!
Tim Oliver
Professor of Music and Director of Bands
Ready to Join?
- Prepared piece of the student’s own choice
- 2-4 minutes in length is desired
- High school seniors–solo literature, excerpts, audition music from honor bands or all-state band are all acceptable materials
- Transfer students–solo literature is recommended but not required
- Some students choose two separate pieces (or excerpts) to show to technical skills as well as lyrical skills but not required
- Very short sight-reading piece that we will provide during the audition
- High school seniors should be prepared to play 3-4 major scales (we will assign during audition) and the chromatic scale. Number of octaves is up to the player.
- Transfer students should be prepared to play 3-4 major and minor scales at least 2 octaves as well as the chromatic scale at least 2 octaves
- The above guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for band and music department
- Prepared piece of the student’s own choice
- 2-4 minutes in length is desired
- High school seniors–solo literature, excerpts, audition music from honor bands or all-state band are all acceptable materials
- Transfer students–solo literature is recommended but not required
- May play multiple instruments are expected but not required
- May audition on concert and/or marching equipment
- Very short sight-reading piece on a concert snare drum (we provide)
- High school seniors should be prepared to play 3-4 major scales (we will assign during audition) and the chromatic scale. Number of octaves is up to the player.
- High school seniors should be prepared to play 3-4 rudiments (we will assign during the audition)
- Transfer students should be prepared to play 3-4 major and minor scales at least 2 octaves as well as the chromatic scale at least 2 octaves
- Transfer students should be prepared to play 3-4 rudiments (we will assign during the audition)
- The above guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for band and music department
- Prepared piece of the student’s own choice
- Solo literature, excerpts, audition music from honor bands or all-state band are all acceptable materials
- 1-2 minutes in length is desired
- Some students choose two separate pieces (or excerpts) to show to technical skills as well as lyrical skills but not required
- Very short sight-reading piece that we will provide during the audition
- No scales unless the student desires to or prefers in place of prepared piece
- Prepared piece of the student’s own choice
- 2-4 minutes in length is desired
- High school seniors–solo literature, excerpts, audition music from honor bands or all-state band are all acceptable materials
- Transfer students–solo literature is recommended but not required
- May play multiple instruments are expected but not required
- May audition on concert and/or marching equipment
- Very short sight-reading piece on a concert snare drum (we provide)
- High school seniors should be prepared to play 3-4 major scales (we will assign during audition) and the chromatic scale. Number of octaves is up to the player.
- High school seniors should be prepared to play 3-4 rudiments (we will assign during the audition)
- Transfer students should be prepared to play 3-4 major and minor scales at least 2 octaves as well as the chromatic scale at least 2 octaves
- Transfer students should be prepared to play 3-4 rudiments (we will assign during the audition)
Meet the Faculty and Staff
Tim Oliver
- Professor of Music and Director of Bands
Randy Dale
- Associate Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands, and Director of Athletic Bands
Mel Morse
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands
Kristina Boggan
- Administrative Secretary
Meet Our Graduate Assistants
Autumn Davila
- Band Graduate Assitant
Emily Hester
- Band Graduate Assistant
Brandon Roach
- Band Graduate Assistant
Sydney Rush
- Band Graduate Assistant
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Watch Past Performances
Experience the musical talent of all our ensembles. Visit our YouTube channel and see highlights from The Pride of the South, the Wind Ensemble, and more.
Ole Miss Band YouTube
Resources for Current Students
Fall Semester
Marching Band
| Freshmen | MUS 133 |
| Sophomores | MUS 233 |
| Juniors | MUS 333 |
| Seniors | MUS 433 or 533 |
Wind Ensemble
| Freshmen | MUS 126 |
| Sophomores | MUS 226 |
| Juniors | MUS 326 |
| Seniors | MUS 426 or 567 |
Spring Semester
All Band Members Register for
| Freshmen | MUS 134 |
| Sophomores | MUS 234 |
| Juniors | MUS 334 |
| Seniors | MUS 434 or 534 |
Specific Band Section
| Wind Ensemble | Section 1 |
| Symphonic Band | Section 2 |
| Concert Band | Section 3 |
| University Band | Section 4 |
First Summer Term
Summer Band
| Freshmen | MUS 153 |
| Sophomores | MUS 253 |
| Juniors | MUS 353 |
| Seniors | MUS 453 |
Instructions
Attendance has a direct effect on your grade and scholarship(s). REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE BY AT LEAST ONE WEEK. In unpredictable situations, such as illness, please complete this form online as well as speak to one of the band directors. Documentation MUST be provided for an absence to be considered excused. If absence occurs during the Spring Semester and you share a music folder with someone, please MAKE CERTAIN that the music gets to your stand mate in time for rehearsal.
The Sound of the 'Sip member who was originally assigned to the game should complete this form. Do not complete this form if you are the substitute band member.
In order to check out your new uniform you must complete all parts of the form while in the band hall including the contractual agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Our students represent just about every major offered at Ole Miss (including pharmacy, engineering, and pre-law).
Yes. Even though marching band can be time-consuming at certain times during the fall semester, we take every opportunity to give time back to the students. Concert bands in the spring semester typically only meet two days per week.
Yes. We have a very simple audition process. We ask that you play a prepared piece (solo) of your own choice. It should be 1-2 minutes in length, and should display your best sound. Percussionists are welcome to play as many instruments as they would like for their audition. There is a very short sight-reading, and scales are only required for music majors.
Yes. Several of our students are active in campus Greek life. We are able to work with them on conflicts to allow them to participate in both activities.
Yes! All of our members receive a financial aid stipend for playing in the band. Scholarship amounts are based on the auditions.
Absolutely! We love having guests and we are always ready! We can often accommodate high school students as our guests to Ole Miss Football games. We also host the Mid-South Honor Band each year in February. A visit can be set up for any time that is convenient.
A short list of steps to consider…
1. Apply for admission to the University of Mississippi
2. Apply for a band audition
3. Band staff will contact you within 48 hours after application is submitted
4. Prepare for your visit to campus (directions, parking, etc…)
5. Contact us at ANY TIME to ask whatever questions you may have:
Most of our students find that college band can actually be easier than high school band, because we are not in the competition business. We are in the entertainment/spirit business, so it’s always fun.
You will never find a more welcoming group of people than the students and staff of the Ole Miss Band. Most of our band members have met their best friends here. Many alumni have even met their spouses here. We are like a family.
The Legacy of Ole Miss Bands
Prior to 1928, the Ole Miss Band was a small organization under the leadership of a selected student Director. In 1928, Chancellor Alfred Hume appointed Roy Coats as the first Director of Bands with faculty status at the University. Coats’ initial marching band used instruments, uniforms and equipment donated by the National Guard. Not until 1934 did the band own full dress uniforms, purchased by funds solicited by the general student body.
The Ole Miss Band performed at the 1958 World Music Festival in Kerkrade, Holland; where they won first place with distinction in both concert and marching competition. That same year, the band was invited by Jules Farber, U.S. Representative of the World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium. The band traveled to Europe again in the summer of 1966 with the Concert Singers and selected theatre students. While on the Music Theatre Abroad program, they studied and performed at some of the world’s leading cultural centers.
The Ole Miss Band has performed numerous times on Regional and National Television and has officially represented the University of Mississippi at Gubernatorial and Presidential Inaugurations.
The University’s Wind Ensemble has performed on tour throughout Mississippi and were the guest performers of the Mississippi Bandmaster Association Clinics in 1988, 2002 and 2010. The Ole Miss Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Regional Conference in 1988.
In 2010 Ole Miss hosted the College Band Directors National Association Southern Regional Conference, where both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands performed. Also in 2010, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Mississippi Bandmasters Association State Band Clinic in Natchez, MS
In 2014, the Pride of the South Marching Band reached its largest enrollment in school history at 315 members.
In March, 2015, the Ole Miss Basketball Band was asked to fill in for the University of Kentucky pep band at the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in North Little Rock, Arkansas, after they were snowed in and could not attend the tournament.
On September 5th (Labor Day), 2016, the Pride of the South marched down Main Street leading the “Parade of Characters” at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
In addition to performing at all home football games and many away games, the marching band has attended numerous bowl games including the Sugar Bowl, the Gator Bowl, the Liberty Bowl, the Independence Bowl, the Peach Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, the Motor City Bowl in 1997, the Music City Bowl in 2000, the Independence Bowl in 1998, 1999 and 2002, and the Cotton Bowl in 2003, 2008 and 2009, and more recently the Compass Bowl in 2012, the Music City Bowl in 2013, the Peach Bowl in 2014, the Sugar Bowl in 2015 and 2021, and the Texas Bowl in 2022.
| Tim Oliver | 2023 – present |
| Roy Coats | 1928 – 1936 |
| Michael Whitfield | 1936 – 1946 |
| Paul Page | 1946 – 1949 |
| E.F. Yerby | 1949 – 1950 |
| Charles V. Mangurean | 1950 – 1952 |
| Lyle Babcock | 1950 – 1966 |
| Jim Ferguson | 1966 – 1971 |
| Luther Snavely | 1971 – 1987 |
| Tom Waggoner | 1987 – 1991 |
| David Willson | 1991 – 2023 |
A Legacy of Inspirational Leadership
David Willson is the former director of bands at the University of Mississippi (1991-2023). Under his leadership the band developed into a truly outstanding university band and doubled in membership. A Jackson, MS native who attended Provine High School and the University of Mississippi, Mr. Willson directed bands in Mississippi at Independence, Columbus, and Clinton. His bands consistently won awards at the state and national level. Mr. Willson was awarded the A.S.B.D.A. Outstanding Young Band Director Award in 1985 and the Mississippi Bandmasters Outstanding Band Director of the Year in 1990. Willson worked on the Mississippi Lions All-State Band Staff five times including serving as head director in 1995 when the All-State Band won the international parade in Seoul, Korea. He served as president of the Mississippi Bandmasters, Mississippi Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, the state chair of C.B.D.N.A., and served four years on the N.F.I.M.A. national board. He also served as the International President of Phi Beta Mu. Willson is active nationally as a conductor, adjudicator and speaker. His “Band Calisthenics” and “Starting Beginning Bands” books are used extensively throughout the Mid-South. Mr. Willson was the 2005-2006 recipient of the Frist award for outstanding service to students and is the 2006-2007 recipient of the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award for the University of Mississippi.
David Willson
Director of Bands Emeritus; Professor of Music Emeritus