REFLECTION

2023 marks Dr. Kenneth G. Bodiford’s 30th season at the helm of the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners. Standing on the shoulders of the band’s Founding Fathers and the nearly 40 years of tradition that preceded him, the Southerners have continued to change lives, one show at a time. The incredible dedication and hard work of the members has built a legacy of artistry and excellence that has taken the Marching Southerners from the familiar foothills of Jacksonville, AL across the United States and to the other side of the world. From the islands of Hawaii to the lights of New York City…from the streets of London and Rome and to Paris in 2024…to multiple appearances at Bands of America Regionals and Nationals…to winning the coveted Sudler Trophy in 2022…it has, indeed, been an incredible journey.

But no step of this journey is about one man or a list of accomplishments. As we look into the mirror of time after 30 seasons, the reflection we see is you…the Southerners members, fans, and family. It is because of your collective work, dedication, and support that the Marching Southerners are the institution and legacy known and loved around the world. As such, Dr. Bodiford’s 30th show celebration…is for you to decide.

Bookended by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel’s “Reflection,” the 2023 production, REFLECTION, will be comprised of material chosen by the results of a vote of your favorite content from the shows of Dr. Bodiford’s tenure and re-imagined for a thrilling and emotional trip down memory lane.

Dr. Bodiford’s 30th season is, indeed, a time for reflection. What a ride it has been, but it’s about the shows now, Southerners family. It’s about what they meant and continue to mean to you and your life these last 30 sun-kissed autumns in Jacksonville. Let’s have a year.

Always and forever…Blow Southerners.

Below is a list of 29 Marching Southerners programs spanning 1994 to 2022. Clicking each show’s title will allow you to view a video of that show being performed. Once you’ve chosen your all-time favorite Marching Southerners intro, opener, ballerina tune, ballad, and closer, you are ready to help us bring REFLECTION to life!

2022 – One Giant Leap

  • Intro: Also Sprach Zarathustra
  • Opener: Interstellar Suite
  • Ballerina Tune: Dancing in the Moonlight
  • Ballad: Jupiter
  • Closer: Enterprising Young Men/Go the Distance

2021 – Fate of the Gods

  • Intro/Opener: The Battle
  • Ballerina Tune: Venus
  • Ballad: Watermark
  • Closer: Clocktower Parade

2020 – United We Stand

2019 – Earth, Wind, and Fire

  • Intro: Earth for Flute and Piano
  • Opener: Windsprints
  • Ballerina Tune: September
  • Ballad: Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • Closer: Day of Wrath/Metropolis 1927

2018 – When I Think of Home

  • Intro: From Now On (from The Greatest Showman)
  • Opener: Coming Home
  • Ballerina Tune: All That Jazz
  • Ballad: Largo (from the New World Symphony)
  • Closer: Malagueña

2017 – Angels Among Us

  • Intro: Fly to Paradise
  • Opener: Resplendent Glory
  • Ballerina Tune: Are You Ready for a Miracle
  • Ballad: Angel
  • Closer: JoyRIDE

2016 – Heroes: Lost and Fallen

  • Opener: Independence Day 
  • Ballerina Tune: Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941)
  • Ballad: Honor (from the Pacific)
  • Closer: Heroes Finale (Battle Hymn of the Republic)

2015 – Celebration

  • Opener: Festive Overture, William Tell Overture
  • Ballerina Tune: The Best is Yet to Come
  • Ballad: Tribute
  • Closer: New World Symphony/1812 Overture

2014 – Salvation Is Created

  • Opener: Carmina Burana/Dies Irae 
  • Ballerina Tune: I’m Gonna Live Until I Die
  • Ballad: Death and Transfiguration/Elsa’s Procession
  • Closer: Gloria (Mvt. III)

2013 – One More Time

  • Opener: One More Time Chuck Corea
  • Ballerina Tune: Habanera (from Carmen)
  • Ballad: Spirit of the Bull
  • Closer: Malaga/Malagueña

2012 – I’ll Fly Away

  • Intro: Enterprising Young Men
  • Opener: Flight (Enter the Galaxies)
  • Ballerina Tune: Moondance/Fly Me to the Moon
  • Ballad: I’ll Fly Away/Over the Rainbow
  • Closer: Defying Gravity

2011 – Fire and Ice

  • Opener: The Firebird
  • Ballerina Tune: Fever
  • Ballad: Ice Castles
  • Closer: Greensleeves

2010 – Sea to Shining Sea

  • Opener: Rocky Point Holiday
  • Ballerina Tune: Ol’ Man River 
  • Ballad: Shenandoah
  • Closer: Overture to Candide

2009 – Of Thee I Sing : Part 1 : Part 2

  • Opener: Esprit de Corps 
  • Ballerina Tune: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
  • Ballad: Requiem for a Soldier (Band of Brothers Theme)/You Raise Me Up
  • Closer: America the Beautiful

2008 – From Russia With Love

  • Opener: Russian Sailor’s Dance
  • Ballerina Tune: Trepak (Nutcracker Suite)
  • Ballad: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
  • Closer: Symphony No. 5/Great Gate of Kiev (from Pictures at an Exhibition)

2007 – Higher, Faster, Louder : Part 1 : Part 2

  • Opener: A Mis Abuelos
  • Ballerina Tune: Sway
  • Ballad: Gabriel’s Oboe
  • Closer: El Toro Caliente

2006 – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

  • Opener: El Camino Real
  • Ballerina Tune: Too Darn Hot 
  • Ballad: Yesterday
  • Closer: Appalachian Spring

2005 – Muy Caliente

  • Opener: Firedance
  • Ballerina Tune: Fever
  • Ballad: Fire of Eternal Glory
  • Closer: New World Symphony

2004 – Remembrance 

  • Opener: Southerner’s Hits (arr. Fifer) 
  • Ballerina Tune: Bottle Dance
  • Ballad: Time to Say Goodbye
  • Closer: Remembrance

2003 – A Night At The Opera

  • Intro: Phantom of the Opera
  • Opener: Bohemian Rhapsody
  • Ballad: Nessun Dorma
  • Closer: Pagliacci

2002 – A Southerner’s Spanish Fantasy

  • Intro: Pictures of Spain 
  • Opener: Carmen
  • Closer: Malagueña

2001 – A Southerner’s Odyssey: Space, Sea, and Sand

  • Intro: Also Sprach Zarathustra
  • Opener: Selections from The Planets 
  • Ballerina Tune: Land of Make Believe
  • Ballad: Watermark
  • Closer: Danse Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah)

2000 – A Night in Birdland

  • Opener: Birdland
  • Ballerina Tune: Night in Tunisia/Harlem Nocturne
  • Closer: Strawberry Soup

1999 – Dance Movements

  • Opener: Russian Christmas Music
  • Ballerina Tune: Dance Movements/Bottle Dance
  • Ballad: Vespers
  • Closer: 10th Symphony, Mvt. 2 (Shostakovich)

1998

  • Opener: Firebird
  • Ballerina Tune: Big Noise from Winnetka
  • Ballad: Nessun Dorma
  • Closer: Malaga

1997

  • Opener: A Mis Abuelos Barcelona  
  • Ballad: Make Our Garden Grow
  • Closer: One More Time

1996

  • Opener: Symphony for Brass and Percussion 
  • Ballerina Tune: Fly Me to the Moon
  • Closer: Spanish Fantasy

1995 – The Wedge: “Troy Show”

  • Opener: Carmina Burana
  • Ballerina Tune: Lulu’s Back in Town
  • Closer: Malagueña

1994 – Henry Mancini & Festive Overture

  • First Opener: Charade 
  • Ballerina Tune: Satin Doll
  • Closer: Moon River
  • Second Opener: Festive Overture 
  • Concert Tune: Fire Dance