Calling Pride Alumni for Special Celebration Weekend

Tue, 09/06/2022 - 10:02am | By: Mike Lopinto

The Southern Miss School of Music and The Pride of Mississippi, in cooperation with the Southern Miss Alumni Association and the USM Foundation, invite all Pride of Mississippi Marching Band alumni, family and friends for a very special 2022 Pride of Mississippi Alumni Band on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The performance will include a special dedication in honor of Dr. Thomas V. Fraschillo. Registration and more information are available at usm.edu/bands.

Last year, The Pride celebrated 101 years of excellence with more than 101 alumni band participants. This year's goal is to double up for 2022. To achieve that, they are asking all Pride alumni to come and invite at least one fellow Pride of Mississippi member to be a part of this momentous weekend. 

This year, thanks to many alums and supporters from around the globe, The School of Music will celebrate the legacy of this historic band program by naming the stage in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center in honor of Dr. Thomas V. Fraschillo, Director of Bands Emeritus at USM. To this day, his impact can be felt in the countless band members who participated in the Pride of Mississippi during his 28-year tenure at Southern Miss. 

There will be events throughout the weekend, including a campus pep rally on Friday night, a halftime performance with the Pride of Mississippi on Saturday, and a few special surprises including a special performance by the Wind Ensemble.

“You don’t want to miss this day of celebration,” said Dr. Colin McKenzie, Director of the School of Music. “It will be a great time for reconnection, music, and fun with so many familiar faces. I encourage you to reach out to your friends and make sure they are there for this incredible weekend dedicated to honoring the tremendous history of our band program through the accomplishments of our alumni while we also take an opportunity to recognize one of the people who helped to forge this program into what it is, and has the potential to be, today.”

The game-day, and thereby event, schedule is still pending. Now that Southern Miss is part of the Sun Belt conference, the potential for more TV time means the game-day schedule is in flux. Alumni should plan to arrive in Hattiesburg Friday night or very early Saturday morning, Nov. 19. Updates will be shared as information becomes available.

Alumni are welcome to participate in the performance or simply be a part of the festivities. Options range between $60 tickets, which include lunch, admission to the football game, and a black Pride of Mississippi Alumni Band polo, and $40 for those who have purchased an Alumni Band polo. 

For registration and more information, please visit usm.edu/band.