Pride of the South Marching Band Raising Funds for Student Scholarships

The Ole Miss Band has brought soul to athletics, even beyond the Ole Miss sports. The band members gave a lot of time, energy and dedication to bring Ole Miss fans special memories.

Now is a chance for those grateful Rebel fans to help the Pride of the South this week. For the fifth year the Ole Miss Band members are selling tickets for $10 for a drawing of $3,500 diamond earrings courtesy of Lammon’s Fine Jewelry here in Oxford. The drawing will be held at the Wind Ensemble Concert that is free to attend next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ford Center.

Nancy Frohn, a supporter of the band, explains the process.

Alan and Nancy King of Lammon’s Jewelry are good friends of Nancy Frohn, and they have helped with the band’s fundraiser in the past four years or so. Frohn said, “They have always donated diamonds. The last year’s donation from Lammon’s were diamond earrings worth $2,200.”

Alan King said, “We love helping the band. The students and the band are fantastic.” He added that his wife, Nancy, was in a band at Central Holmes Academy (now Central Holmes Christian School) in high school and the Holmes Community College band. “The bands have always been something close to her,” said King, “It’s really her cause.”

Nancy Frohn holds the $3,500 diamond earrings, courtesy of Lammon’s Fine Jewelry

Winning the diamond earrings would be wonderful, but donating to help Ole Miss students continue to play for the Rebels is a tremendous cause. According to Frohn many sponsors have stepped up also including C-Spire that is the over all sponsor of the Wind Ensemble Concert. Refreshments afterwards will be provided by the Literary Club in Water Valley.

Such support help the students continue not just the pursuit of education but to remain in the band. The scholarship stipends range from a few hundred dollars a semester to about three quarters of a tuition. David Willson, the band director, determines the amount of scholarship stipends awarded to the qualifying students.

“Each student is awarded a scholarship stipend based on audition excellence and the bands needs,” he said. “Potential band members are required to perform a selection of their own choosing and to read at sight a selection of music they have never seen. In a university band there is so much new material all season long that a band member may have music reading ability. Music majors are asked to play scales as well. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a semester to about three quarters of tuition.

“The small amount would be for someone who just can make the band, the other is nearly professional level players on needed instruments that would have been at the top of all state bands. Most students get an average of that scenario.”

For more information and to keep up with the Ole Miss Band, visit its website.

Callie Daniels is a staff reporter for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.