What is The Pride of Mississippi?

The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band is by far the most visible group on campus.  The Pride performs at all home football games, numerous away games, high school marching band contests, parades, and festivals during the Fall semester.

Since its founding in 1920, the 20-piece brass ensemble has evolved into a boastful number of 300.  Having performed for such events as the F.D.R. inaugural parade in the 1930s, the Senior Bowl Classics and professional and collegiate bowl games, The Pride has enjoyed more television and national audience exposure than any other band in the South.  Additionally, The Pride has toured throughout the United States and to England and Ireland.

The Pride of Mississippi is open to all students enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi.  The Pride has celebrated many years of tradition and success.  Though many things have changed since its beginning, The Pride has remained steadfast in its quest for musical excellence.

Pride Informational Video

For more information, contact Mr. James Standland at James.Standland@usm.edu.

Pride Audition Information

2008 – 09 Pride of Mississippi Guard Audition Information:

Audition Dates & Times:

Guard Auditions for the Pride of Mississippi will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 10:00am – 1:00pm and on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Auditions will take place on the lawn of the Fine Arts Building in the front of the Southern Miss campus.  In case of rain, auditions will be moved to the Southern Miss Band Hall located in the basement (room 009) of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center.  Ladies who wish to audition will need to be present at the beginning of the stated tryout time.  You will be required to participate in only one of the two audition days. 

During the audition, you will demonstrate the following:

• Flag fundamentals while standing in place & while marching.
• Marching Skills / Body Movement
• Drop Spins
• Speed Spins
• Wind Mills / Back Scratches
• Blue Devils
• A Variety of Tosses (ie. Vertical Toss, Horizontal Toss, Speed Spin Toss, Blue Devils Toss)
• Jazz Run
• Chasse (sha-Say)
• Saute (soh-Tay
• Forward March / Backwards March
• Left & Right Slides
• Flag routine that will be taught to you which will include a choreographed dance segment. 

What to bring:

Candidates should bring a standard 6ft flagpole with a standard silk.  Make sure the flagpole is properly weighted for tosses. 

What to wear:

Candidates should wear appropriate marching rehearsal shoes and clothing in which you can move freely.

Dixie Darling Audition Information

Dixie Darling Clinics:

December 15, 2007 - 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.  Payne Center, cost is $20.  Pre-registration required!

January 19, 2008 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Payne Center, cost is $20.  Pre-registration required!


DD auditions:

March 29, 2008 - Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Payne Center, no fee.  Register at the door.

April 26, 2008 - Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Payne Center, no fee.  Register at the door.

To register for the DD clinics, please contact Tracy Smith at dixiedarlingdir@aol.com, or call the band office at 601.266.4990 and leave a message.

Dixie Darling auditions consist of the following:

• Learn AND perform: 45 second - one minute dance routine


• Dixie Darling Strut


• Kick combination


• Exhibit splits/leaps

• Uniform deposit $50


• Practice wear: T-shirts ($10 each), split sole dance shoes ($60), black shorts/pants


• Performance wear: long white gloves ($15), white boots ($55), tights ($12)