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Contact: Christina Chapple
Date: 8/10/05
 
Jeff VaughanClick on image for publication quality photo 
VAUGHAN TO DIRECT SOUTHEASTERN MARCHING BAND
HAMMOND – Jeff Vaughan has been named director of Southeastern Louisiana University’s “Spirit of the Southland” marching band.
       Vaughan comes to Southeastern from Northshore High School in Slidell, where he was director of bands for the past three years. He has done post graduate work in trumpet performance at Southeastern and has served as band director at Tara High School in Baton Rouge. 
       In addition to directing the marching band, Vaughan will also conduct the university’s spirit band.
       “Northshore High School has one of the most outstanding marching band programs in the state and I know we’re in good hands with Jeff,” said David Evenson, head of Southeastern’s Department of Music and Dramatic Arts.
       Vaughan has performed with the Southeastern Wind Symphony and guest conducted the acclaimed orchestra’s performance of “Children’s March: Over the Hills and Far Away” in the spring 2005 concert, “Voodoo.” 
       A 1997 Louisiana State University graduate, he performed with LSU’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Tiger Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphonic Winds. He also was treasurer of the national professional music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is a member of the Louisiana Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the National Band Association.
       “I’ve always wanted to be a college band director,” Vaughan said. “I’m excited to be a part of what’s going on at Southeastern, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity of making music with our students.”
       Vaughan said he plans to make participating in the Spirit of the Southland marching band “fun, challenging and rewarding” for the more than 100 music and non-music majors he expects to join the band, whose long history and tradition at Southeastern was rejuvenated along with the university’s football program. 
       The band will be led by drum major Craig Byers, a music education major and percussionist from Loranger, who was selected at tryouts earlier this year. The marching musicians, along with the 20-member color guard, baton twirler Kaci Brummel, and the Lionettes dance team, will assemble for the band’s annual summer camp on August 15. That’s when the pre-game and halftime shows for Southeastern home football games will be mapped out on the field and rehearsed, Vaughan said.
       To give fans a preview of the showmanship he has planned, Vaughan said that the September 1 home opener against Jacksonville University in Strawberry Stadium will feature a “Rocking Through the Years” program with musical numbers from the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.
       “The Spirit of the Southland started a new tradition of excellence when it returned to the field last year,” Vaughan said. “We’re going to continue that tradition.”
       Vaughan said Southeastern students interested in joining the band are welcome to contact him at 985-549-3825 or email him at cvaughan@selu.edu.