SU Band showcase first women to play cymbal, tuba & baritone

It is no secret that Southern University has a rich band history. Southern University band or “The Human Jukebox” as its avid fans and followers know it, has seen its share of members, but it has surprisingly seen a lack of female members; until recent years.
Though female members admit that there is pressure from their male counterparts from all aspects, and a great deal of hard work, a select few are particularly proud to be a part of Southern University’s band, because they are making history.
Alicia Smith, a freshman criminal justice major from Detroit, is Southern’s first female band member to ever play baritone euphonium. Smith revealed how her high school had an annual competition, which is how she was able to audition for the “Human Jukebox”, being that Lawrence Jackson, Director of Bands at Southern, was among the panel of judges. Smith admits that she played tenor drum early on, but decided to take up baritone because she always thought that horns were beautiful instruments.
” I chose the euphonium because it sounds the prettiest,” said Smith. Smith also commented that she is extremely honored to be the first female to ever play a baritone instrument in the band history. ” Someone had to do it, and I was just strong enough to be that someone.”
Melis’a Morgan, a junior nursing major and native of New Orleans, also basks in the glory of being another female first in Southern band history. Morgan noted that while attending high school, she was a member of an all girls’ marching band as has played several other instruments, such as the saxophone and flute, before taking on the challenge of playing the tuba. Morgan also admits that she has an extreme passion for band music. Morgan came to Southern in 2005 and auditioned several times before being accepted into the band.
Morgan mentioned that she was initially drawn to Southern because of its music department and the challenge of playing a male dominated instrument, the tuba, in a male dominated band. Although Morgan said that she sometimes feels an enormous amount of pressure, she remains positively motivated.
“This is my second year in the band and I try to be a good example to all those who want to follow in my footsteps,” said Morgan.
Krystle Washington, a junior criminal justice major, and local resident is the first female to play the cymbals in band history. Washington remarked as to how she originally wanted to attend FAMU in order to increase her chances of playing in the drum section, being that FAMU had several females in its band at that present time and the fact that Southern’s band was extremely male dominated under the direction of its former director, Isaac Greggs.
It was not until Washington noticed Dionne Fair, the first female to ever play in the percussion section of Southern’s band, that she was inspired to take on the challenge of auditioning for the “Human Jukebox”. Washington revealed that she was a member of her high school marching band and has played several instruments, including the violin and piano, but it was the cymbals that have truly held here interests. Washington also commented on how she does not consider herself a role model because the band is not for everyone.
“My first year was hard because of the adjustments I had to make, but I did what I had to do,” said Fair.
Although Brittany Polley, a freshman from Dallas is not the first female snare drum player to be a member of the Southern band, she relishes in the fact that she is the second in line. She credits most of her success to self-determination and hard work.
“Some people thought that I would not make it this far, but I got here anyway,” said Polley. Polley admits that although she has been playing the snare drum for more than three years, the road to band was challenging and the fact that she was female and wanted to play the snare drum did little to help the situation. Polley also mentioned that she has wanted to be apart of Southern University’s “Human Jukebox”, since she first saw them perform.
Female members agree that the experience of being apart of the Human Jukebox is truly once in a lifetime. They also agree that there is sometimes an extreme amount of pressure when compared to their male counterparts.
“Even when you are doing your best, they (male alumni) will always pick something out, just because you are female,” said Washington.
Quinton Hogan, a political science major and a Baton Rouge area resident, feels that there is nothing wrong with women being in the band, but also that some aspects of the band are not necessarily for females.
“Through my own band experience, albeit that it was in high school, the fact is that some of the physical elements that band members undergo are sometimes too difficult for females,” said Hogan.
Lawrence Jackson, Director of Bands for Southern University, said that he has 225 band members and one drum major. Of those 225 band members, about 23 are female, which is something that he is delighted by. When recruiting potential band members, Jackson stated that he looks for three things, which include musicianship, academics, and personality.
“It does not make any sense to come to Southern University or any university for four to five years and not receive a degree. Sometimes you might find a good musician, but may not work well with others,” said Jackson.
He also stated that Southern University does not only recruit male or female, but talent.
“We are not interested if the band members are male or female. If they can play the part and keep up and rise to the high standards of excellence that the Human Jukebox band has possessed for so many years, then they (male and female) will be apart of the band,” said Jackson.
Jackson acknowledges the fact that he has female band members that are not only making history, but that they had the opportunity to audition and become members of the “Human Jukebox” and apart of its great history and legacy that has become tradition over the years.
In the end, the female members are confident that regardless of your particular instrument or the section in which you play in, the Human Jukebox seeks out strong-minded individuals with a desire, talent and passion for music. The female band members also remain constant in the ideals that the Southern band believes in motivating people to their fullest potential and bringing music to its best and finest.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Brittany Thornton / Digest

left to right Brittany Polley, Melis'a Morgan, Alicia Smith, and Krystle Washington. Melis'a Morgan, Junior, nursing major, Hometown New Orleans.