Southern University music is more than the ‘Human Jukebox’ Symphonic Band to give annual concert

Southern University’s famed Marching Band gets a lot of credit for its show stopping dance steps and magnificent sound. But, Director of Bands Lawrence Jackson says the Symphonic Band will show the public there is a lot more to Southern University’s music.

He will lead the Symphonic Band at its annual 2012 Spring Concert, at 7 p.m., April 18, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The concert will include a variety of classical music with a mixture of English Folklore, Contemporary American compositions and traditional pieces like “America the Beautiful.” There will also be a gospel selection and maybe a Broadway piece, Jackson said.

“This will give the students and our supporters a balance diet of pop, classical and jazz music,” Jackson said of the selections for the concert.

Jackson said he wants the public to know that the Human Jukebox is more than a marching band “but is a very fine symphonic band,” says Jackson. “They are very crafty musicians.”

“The concert atmosphere sharpens the gifts and talents of the members when they are not just playing at football games or performing in parades,” Jackson said.

The April 18 concert is part of a series of events scheduled to showcase the band’s talent across the state. The Symphonic Band recently played at Blount High in Mobile, Ala., and received a standing ovation.

They will head to Monroe on April 20 to perform at Wossman High School to give them a “taste of the symphonic side of the famous band,” Jackson said.