Una's Marching Band Gets New Equipment

Sep. 03, 2019

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 FLORENCE, AL - The University of North Alabama Marching Band, the Marching Pride of North Alabama, took to the field Thursday in the Lions' season opener against Western Illinois with some new equipment and more on the way. "The University's move to Division I athletics has provided our marching band an opportunity to expand its brand to reach a national audience," said former College of Arts and Sciences Dean Carmen Burkhalter, who helped oversee the purchase of new items. "I am extremely grateful for the administration's infusion of new resources for new equipment, new look, and a new brand." The uniforms that have been in use were purchased in 2009, according to Marching Pride of North Alabama Director Dr. Lloyd Jones. In addition to uniforms, new brass instruments as well as a new box truck and semi-trailer will be vital for the band's logistics as well as on performance, retention, and recruitment of student musicians. "Membership in the UNA Band has grown consistently over the last 20 years," Jones said. "A collegiate marching band must have instruments and equipment transported appropriately to practice and performance venues on a regular basis. The acquisition of an additional box truck and semi-trailer will ensure student safety along with proper care of University-owned equipment." Further, Dr. Joseph Gray joined the faculty this fall as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Interim Associate Director of Bands. Jones said will this addition to the faculty will "insure proper training and instruction for student members of the band program." The move to Division I athletics has also been a Division I move for the Marching Pride of North Alabama, and these acquisitions and personnel additions will make for an easier transition until the move is fully realized in 2021. "The students and faculty in the UNA Department of Music are elated about the Division I upgrades to the UNA Band program," said Dr. Meghan Merciers, Chair of the Department of Music. "We are grateful to the UNA Administration for their continued generosity and extraordinary support of the UNA Bands and the Department of Music." About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/