Play On

Southside Band Reunion

WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy Karen Schwartz

For more information, email southsidebandalumni@gmail.com,

THE SLOGANS, "WITH TRADITION UNSURPASSED" and "Play like a

champion today" describe the Southside Band Program in both its past accomplishments and present endeavors. These words ring true long after band members graduate high school and move into the next chapters of their lives.

Band alumni of all eras are invited to attend the 2021 Southside Band Reunion, scheduled for Oct. 8 and 9 in Fort Smith.

“We’ve had a tremendous response already just from people who are interested in going. We’ve been trying to reach out a lot to former members, especially the younger ones who are more recent grads,” says Sean Carrier, retired band director and a member of the reunion organizing committee.

“We’re trying to communicate through social media and stuff that might grab them and just try to tie all that tradition together, really.”

The Southside Band Program is known across the state and region for producing outstanding individual musicians as well as exceptional performances by the marching band and all three concert bands. Since its inception in 1963, the band has earned nearly 3,200 positions in the All-Region Bands, 1,029 seats in the All-State Concert Bands, 260 spots in the All-Region Jazz Bands and about 100 positions in All-State Jazz Bands.

The bands have also earned the ASBOA Sweepstakes Award for thirty-one consecutive years, scored by having earned first division honors in marching, concert and sight-reading adjudications.

The program has twice earned Southside designation as a top school in the U.S. for music education and a trophy shelf full of national awards and prestigious invitations to perform through the years. The band has appeared in concerts and events in Hawaii, New York, Chicago, Indianapolis, San Antonio, Washington D.C., Orlando, Kansas City, St. Louis, Houston, Nashville, Hot Springs and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The reunion weekend starts with a tailgate prior to the Oct. 8 Southside vs. Fayetteville football game; kickoff is 7 p.m. On Oct. 9, attendees will meet at the Southside band room for a meet and greet and a tour of Southside’s new facilities including new library, offices, commons area, cafeteria, freshmen center and gym. A BBQ lunch will be served providing plenty of opportunities for catching up.

Four former band directors – including Stan Cate, Richard Peer, Steve Kesner and Sean Carrier – will be attending as will former directors from Chaffin and Ramsey Junior Highs. Longtime administrators Wayne Haver, Dr. Benny Gooden and Jim Rowland will also be present for the event.