Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South

Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4)

 

The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4) is under the direction of Mr. John Graham Jr. and Assistant directors, Mr. Darryl Evans, Mr. Harold Fooster Jr. and Mr. Gerome Hudson. M4 performs for all home football games and travels to almost all games away from campus. The marching band has made appearances at the Gateway Classic, Professional football games, national television and countless "Battle of the Bands" competitions. Each year M4 hosts its "Band Day", where several high school bands from throughout the country get the opportunity to attend a "Golden Lion" football game, play as a mass band, and perform their half-time shows for each other.  The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South performed in the 2008 inaugural parade of President Barack Obama.

 

Jazz Band

 

The Jazz Ensemble is the premiere jazz group that performs a variety of styles which include swing, contemporary, funk, progressive and the standards. The jazz band has experienced phenomenal growth and exposure under the direction of Mr. Darryl Evans. This ensemble takes annual tours both locally and nationally. The Jazz Ensemble is open by audition only. The Jazz Ensemble recently recorded the performance of “The Days of Wine and Roses”.

 

The Black and Gold Concert Bands

 

The black and gold concert bands are comprised of students from all over the nation.  These students perform annual concerts during the spring semester.  These concerts are loved by the students, faculty, staff and the community of Pine Bluff.  At these concerts the listener will experience a variety of music that often times leaves listener wanting more and feeling good about the university’s music department.  The gold concert band is under the direction of Mr. Harold Fooster Jr. and the black concert band is under the direction of Mr. Darryl Evans.

 

The Wind Symphony

 

The Wind Symphony is an ensemble of select students that performs only the finest wind ensemble literature, features soloists, and commissions’ new works for wind ensemble. Performances include both on and off campus concerts, local and regional tours, children's concert series, and professional conferences.

 

Percussion Ensemble

 

The Percussion Ensemble performs top concert and world percussion literature. This ensemble primarily consists of percussion majors and is open by audition to other percussion students and is under the direction of Mr. Harold Fooster Jr.

 

24 Karat Golden Silks

 

The 24 Karat Golden Silks flag line is under the direction of Ms. Whitney Lee.  The 24 Karat Golden Silks dazzles the crowd with stunning twirls and routines in the stand and on the field.  Auditions for the 24 Karat Golden Silks are held during the spring semester and during the summer.

 

Golden Girls

 

The Golden Girls are the dance line for the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South and these young ladies are under the direction of Dr. Ann Williams.  These young ladies preform with grace and dignity on the field and in the stands.