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Directing excellence – Southern’s Human Jukebox’ has a fresh young leader

The Southern University Marching Band, nicknamed the “Human Jukebox,” is more than just a group of musicians. It’s a beloved institution.

Ranked as the second-best collegiate band in the nation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association last year—coming in below only Ohio State—the “Human Jukebox” is regularly invited to play at high-profile events, from Super Bowl halftimes to presidential inaugurations. So when assistant band director Nathan Haymer was summoned for a meeting with then-Director of Bands Lawrence Jackson last May, only to find Jackson’s office walls bare and everything packed away, Haymer immediately recognized the enormity of the situation.

Jackson was retiring and he wanted to pass his baton on to Haymer. Although the transition felt sudden, the 36-year-old knew it was the job he had been groomed for since Jackson hired him back in 2006.

“He told me, You know eight years from now you’ll be the band director.’ But those eight years have gone like that,” Haymer says with a snap of his fingers.

Although each successive year of his tenure as assistant band director brought increasing responsibility, Haymer says his role as the new Director of Bands feels like “a thousand pounds of weight on my shoulders.”

Added to his duties of teaching music and performance to students is the monumental task of continuing the band’s storied legacy, as well as considerable administrative challenges that few fans realize. There are loads of paperwork, continuous meetings and a phone ringing off the hook with requests for performances.

“It’s intimidating, because I don’t have all the answers,” says Haymer. “But I have a good staff, and we have a lot of good ideas.”

Like every Director of Bands before him at Southern, Haymer is a former member of the Jaguars marching band. He and his fellow alumni share an enormous sense of pride and desire to continue a proud legacy. After only a couple of months at the helm, Haymer has begun working to raise the already-high bar for the “Human Jukebox.”

“I want to expand on our brand through marketing and recruiting,” he says. “It’s my job to educate. You know, when you see the band, you’re relaxed, you’re being entertained, but a lot of people don’t know what it takes to get this band from point A’ to point B.’ We have 225 musicians, five buses and many other expenses. Students have to get in school and pay tuition. How do we provide a scholarship package so students don’t have to take out so many loans?”

In order to meet these goals, Haymer and other university officials are building partnerships with businesses such as Yamaha, which is providing the band with all-new drums for a small fraction of the regular retail price. Community outreach, education, and fundraisers are all major parts of Haymer’s vision for increasing the band’s financial support.

Yet Haymer is motivated by more than money or even the band’s stunning performances.

“For me it’s bigger than the music,” Haymer says. “Let me tell you why I’m just in love with the marching band. It teaches discipline. It teaches commitment. It teaches how to be at the right place at the right time with equipment and ready to concentrate. Things students learn in this band beyond music are what lasts.”

While Haymer leads a Wednesday night rehearsal before the season-opening game at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, two young men sit in the bleachers watching. Trey Hamilton and Bryan Garner are past band members who have come to see what Haymer has cooked up for his first halftime show as director.

“[Jackson] left the band in good hands; Mr. Haymer is very respected,” Hamilton says.

Garner, who graduated last spring, agrees.

“[This marching band] teaches you to how to be a man,” Garner says. “I learned how to start being on time for everything. And I learned loyalty.”

Down on the field, Haymer critiques the members’ last run-through of the halftime show. He’s focused on the details. The tightness of the formations, the smoothness of transitions, the enthusiasm that emanates from the dance moves—even how high band members are lifting their knees during drill steps.

“Seniors!” Haymer calls out. “Are y’all satisfied with this show right now? What do we need to do?”

The seniors yell “No!” and call out various corrections in sharp reply.

“Ok,” Haymer replies. “Let’s take it up top.”

From their seats in the bleachers, Garner and Hamilton shake their heads approvingly and smile.

“You see?” Garner says. “That’s why we’re the best.”