Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. We head to Knoxville with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band (UTK). Director Dr. Michael Stewart breaks down the Black Suits leadership model, keeping the iconic Circle Drill fresh, audition growth and yearly re-auditions, tuning for power (why “in tune” = “sounds bigger”), and the eternal Rocky Top “Woo” debate. UT students Madelyn Bowman (guard) and Austin Kerr (tuba/Black Suit alum) jump in for Water We Doing?! and Gush & Go on band culture, travel, and show design.

Segments

• 32-Count Life Story — Dr. Stewart
• Interview Pt 1 — UT system, grad staff, Black Suits
• Interview Pt 2 — Circle Drill refresh, audition numbers, tuning philosophy, the “Woo”
• Water We Doing?! — Away-game guard travel, visiting-band courtesy, design clarity
• Gush & Go — Pride momentum, Tokyo Disney, guard growth, rest & self-care

Panel & Guests
Host: Nicole Younger (@o2bnpjs) • Panel: Alicia Sharp (@aliciaoninsta2)
Guest: Dr. Michael Stewart (Director, Pride of the Southland — UTK)
Band: Pride of the Southland Marching Band (UTK) — Website: utbands.utk.edu/marching-band/ • IG: @utbands • X: @POTSBand • FB: /utbands • YouTube: University of Tennessee Bands
Student Guests: Madelyn Bowman (@madstopbowman) • Austin Kerr (@austin_kerr)

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Sponsors
Peak Group Travel (@peak.group.travel) • Guard Closet (@guardcloset)

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