Southeastern Bands

In 2009, the Southeastern Louisiana University band program celebrated its 75th year of musical excellence. A long tradition of commitment to its students and community have made the bands at Southeastern among the finest performing ensembles in the region. Southeastern graduates are some of the best performers and teachers in their respective fields. Recent performances with internationally known artists including Ivan Rutherford (Broadway), Eric Ruske (horn), John Bruce Yeh (clarinet), Scott Hartman (trombone), Eugene Rousseau (saxophone),and Philip Smith (trumpet) offer band members world class performing and educational opportunities. There has never been a better time to become a part of the long-standing tradition of excellence that are the Southeastern Bands. 

Spirit of the Southland

The Southeastern Louisiana University Band Program is open to all Southeastern students regardless of major and offers attractive scholarships for participation.  Southeastern Band alumni include some of the nation’s finest band directors and music educators, performers, composers, and arrangers. Additionally, the Southeastern Band Alumni count among their ranks doctors, lawyers, clergy, businesspeople, pharmacists, scientists, artists, military personnel, pilots, and many, many more.

For more information about participating in the Southeastern Band Program, please fill out the interest form below.

Join the Spirit of the Southland Marching Band

Wind Symphony 

The Wind Symphony is a concert ensemble comprised of the finest wind and percussion musicians attending the university. Committed to the highest standards of performance of the prominent wind repertoire, the Wind Symphony explores the richness and variety of contemporary and traditional music for the wind band. Recent guest artists have included John Bruce Yeh, clarinet, Chicago Symphony; Philip Smith, trumpet, New York Philharmonic; Eric Ruske, horn, formerly of the Cleveland Orchestra; Scott A. Hartman, trombone, Yale University; Cameron Gates, principal tuba, The United States Marine Band; and Brian Bowman, euphonium, University of North Texas.

The Wind Symphony was selected as one of only four ensembles to perform at the 2013 Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival in Chicago’s famed Orchestra Hall. Past honors have included performances at the Southern Regional Conference of the College Band Directors National Association & National Band Association in Atlanta in 2004, as well as the University Honor Group at the 2007 State Convention of the Louisiana Music Educators Association in Baton Rouge.

Symphonic Band

The Southeastern Symphonic Band is a large concert ensemble open to all students across the university with previous instrumental experience, or for students who are majoring in music desiring ensemble experience on a secondary instrument.

Basketball Pep Band

The Lion Basketball Bands have been an important part of men’s and women’s basketball games for many years. Playing exciting and challenging musical arrangements, the band is a popular part of Lion Basketball, and sets the tone for spirit at every game. Students look forward to the fast paced and challenging musical environment. The Basketball Band proudly represented Southeastern, traveling with the team to the 2005 Men’s NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Membership in the Basketball Bands is open to anyone who is enrolled as a full time student at Southeastern. Scholarship money is available to members of the Lion Basketball Band.

The graduate program at Southeastern Louisiana University is designed to continue ones professional preparation for musical careers or to prepare for doctoral studies. Master of Music concentrations are offered in Music Performance, Music Theory, Instrumental Conducting, and Choral Conducting. 

Southeastern Louisiana University is located within an hour’s driving distance of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, affording our graduate students the opportunity to access the excellent research facilities and freelance in these metropolitan areas. Our musicians have access to performance opportunities with professional ensembles throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and the entire Gulf Coast. 

Faculty

  • Robert Schwartz

    Director of Bands/Assistant Professor

    (985) 549-5198

    robert.schwartz​@southeastern.edu

    Department of Music and Performing Arts

  • Tyler Whitehead

    Instructor of Percussion and Athletic Bands

    (985) 549-3825

    tyler.whitehead​@southeastern.edu

    Department of Music and Performing Arts

Contact Us

Location

Campus Address

SLU Box 10815
Hammond, LA 70402

Phone

(985) 549-5198

Email

robert.shwartz​@southeastern.edu

Director

Director of Bands/Assistant Professor
Robert Schwartz

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