Letter from the President

“Alumni and Supporters of The LSU Tiger Marching Band working to enhance the experience and lives of students in every section and unit by providing financial resources and social opportunities to excel in the classroom, on the marching field, and in life.”

This is the mission statement of The Four Notes Club and for the next three years, a new team of individuals are working toward fulfilling it. Joining me we have:

President-Elect: Landon Chambliss
Vice President of Events: Rob Dowie
Vice President of Membership & Merchandise: Charlie Marquette
Treasurer: Steve Miley
Secretary: Mary Bahlinger Motes
Communications Specialist: Donna Greaber

With two Executive Board meetings under our belt, we can’t wait to implement new initiatives and projects this year. I also want to put out a call to action to all alumni. LSU consistently ranks near or at the bottom in alumni giving. The Four Notes Club was created to give Tiger Band Alumni and our supporters an avenue to directly benefit the organization we all treasure. In 2022, our members donated just shy of $20,000. In 2023, we hope to double that number. Help us build an enduring legacy with a tax deductible donation, and renew your membership today!

GEAUX TIGERS!

Daniel Wendt, President, Executive Board

Alumni Spotlight

**Jaclyn Tisdale Hill**

***LSU Golden Girl***

What years were you in Tiger Band and what section(s) were you in?

I was a Golden Girl from 2011-2015 and a Golden Girl Captain from 2012-2014. I was cut as a freshman in 2010. This allowed me to focus on school and learn to be a student. I also stayed around and helped my good friend Trinity Banner while she was a new member in 2010. I went to all the clinics that year, practiced and learned as much as I could. I became a first year member in 2011 when over half of the whole line were new member Golden Girls!

Why did you join Tiger Band?

My first LSU game was with a friend in 2008. I was brand new to LSU, football, and the campus. My high school captain was former a GG and asked me to join her at a game. I got the full experience and sat in one of the end zone sections just to the right of the band. We could watch the GGs and listen to the band the whole game, it was amazing. I’ve always loved band. In high school, our dance team sat with band and did Showcase together. I’ve always appreciated band music and the camaraderie and school spirit that it brings. I knew from that first game that I wanted to audition and be a part of this tradition one day. I kept working and prepping for tryouts because I knew that it was something I was meant to be a part of. Tiger Band just brings you in, it does that to you.

What is one memory from band camp you have?

I always enjoyed when the GG captains got to teach the other section leaders the GG pregame. Watching college-age guys get up there and learn to do the whole salute with so much passion and projection for the first time was hilarious and wonderful! Teaching GG pregame I think helped all the sections come together, have a fun experience, and enjoy prepping for camp before new members arrived.

Describe one of your favorite Tiger Band memories besides being on the field in Tiger Stadium.

Definitely going to Ireland. It was an incredible trip and getting to experience something not many collegiate members get to the opportunity to do is something I’ll never forget. The Ireland parade was only a little cold, but we (the whole line) were determined to just wear the leotard and add the capes. As we passed by, I remember little kids saying over and over “Where are your trousers?”. The whole parade was just a sea of people, like our hill but on another level. All around us there was so much excitement and enthusiasm. We were also very lucky to be able to make a trip out of it, by going around and seeing all these different things in the city. Our group had a 7 hour layover in Frankfurt, which was amazing to get to go out and see the city. We even went out to eat a meal together for someone’s birthday.

What was one of your favorite halftime shows?

“Jump, Jive and Wail” and dancing with the trumpet guys. We started with the idea of trumpet members dancing with the Golden Girls during a halftime show. We liked the idea so much but we needed to convince the band directors that we could incorporate it into a show. We planned the whole idea, planned to audition the band guys, and also went to talk to Dr. Llinas. He LOVED it and was on board right away. Then we scheduled a meeting with myself, the other captain, and Dr. Llinas with Roy King to lay out the whole plan, he was in too. The Drum Major, Collin Barry, would help lead the guys on their parts since he had ballroom dance experience. We also had extra rehearsals with the guys outside of regular rehearsal. It was the most fun I’ve had in a halftime show.

Are there any particular games or away trips that you have a fun memory with?

For the 2013 bowl game in Tampa, a fellow GG, Kaitlin Junius’, family member sent a limo to pick up all of the Golden Girls to bring them to their house to have a New Year’s Eve party. Another favorite moment from that trip was dancing on the beach in the sand at the bowl game pep rally the day before the game. At the 2014 bowl game in Nashville, oh my goodness, that bowl game was incredibly cold. That was the coldest trip and game that I’ve ever been to. Also in 2014, we did the first kickoff game in Dallas and then less than 1 year later, I was back in the Cowboys AT&T Stadium in 2015 dancing as DCC.

What was a tradition or something special that feels unique to your time in Tiger Band?

Bringing back the gold dress uniforms for ONLY the alumni game. That was an idea we started in 2012 when I first became a Captain. Now it’s being done every year!

What do you do now?

I was an Elementary Special Ed Teacher, spent 2 years out of classroom, and now I’m a stay at home mom! Outside of that, I teach at All About Dance in Gonzales and I’m also a Technique Coach at East Ascension HS (my alma mater). I also assist the dance team coach at St. Michael. There was a want for this position to be filled at the school and it just kind of fell in my lap. I also serve at our church for bible study and I am a backpack coordinator.

How has being in Tiger Band impacted you, your career etc.

Tiger Band has taught me a lot of life experiences. If you don’t make something the first time it’s okay, just stick to it and it’s okay to come back and do your best again later. Don’t forget to keep trying. One thing I remember was talking to Roy King after I was selected as a Golden Girl captain, as opposed to some of the other members that were older than me. He told me “You earned it, no one deserves anything” and I remember that through my life now. Being a captain helped prepare me for so many things later on. There is something about LSU and Tiger Band that is unparalleled to other college experiences, it’s a tradition that everyone at LSU knows or can associate with. While in Tiger Band you just know how big of a deal it is, and everyone takes pride in it. People even knew about TB while I was a DCC and so many people I talked to while I was there wanted to know more about it.

What are you looking forward to at Alumni Band Weekend?

Getting to do Pregame for halftime with just us Alumni. It lets you re-live that moment again which is very special. In some ways it feels just like yesterday, but now you also get to enjoy the moment with even more amazing Alumni sisters each year!

What years were you in Tiger Band and what section(s) were you in?

I was in Tiger Band from 1987 - 1992 (five year engineering program lol) and was in the alto saxophone section all of those years.

Why did you join Tiger Band?

I started band in junior high and continued through high school. Once getting to LSU my freshman year, my roommate, who was in his 3rd year at LSU, encouraged me to try out for Tiger Band. He spoke so highly of it. Honestly, I was apprehensive and worried that I would not make it as I was not a strong reader of music. However looking back, I am so glad that I did!

What's one memory from band camp you have?

Lol...one main memory that I have from band camp was as a freshman practicing pregame. Missing that infamous turn to the rear (TTR) and being called out by band director Frank Wickes. Everyone knew he was watching and he had a way of being able to see each and everyone of those 325 band members on the practice field. He also knew everyone by name, so hearing my name being called out for missing that TTR on one of the last pre-game practice runs of the day and telling us we had to do it all over again, I will never forget it!

Describe one of your favorite Tiger Band memories besides being on the field in Tiger Stadium.

Oh I have quite a few, but one is going to the bowl game my freshman year. We went to the Gator Bowl and the whole band got to celebrate bringing in the New Year.

What was one of your favorite halftime shows?

So many, but one that really stands out was in 1989. That year we showcased a composition of "Malagueña" which highlighted a trumpet trio. The arrangement was extremely challenging, but the sound was amazing (even though I played sax). The crowd really responded to it!

Are there any particular games or away trips that you have a fun memory with?

It has to be the infamous "Earthquake Game". It was during my second year at LSU and band. Of course this was the historic game where quarterback Tommy Hodson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Fuller on fourth down to tie the game, 6-6, with 1:41 left. The cheer of the crowd was so loud that it registered on the LSU College of Science seismograph. We went on to beat #4 ranked Auburn, 7-6. One for the history books and I was there to witness it live!

What was a tradition or something special that feels unique to your time in Tiger Band?

During my time in band, there were only a few groups that did something special and those were the Sousaphones and Drum Line. However, pre-game was the best tradition and the march down the hill with immense focus was always special. The return back to the band hall was also memorable as we maintained military discipline all the way back!

What do you do now?

I am a solution engineering manager for an enterprise security group focused on protecting enterprise companies from ransomware and other advanced persistent security threats. I provide leadership to a team of 7 in the Americas, Canada and Costa Rica.

How has being in Tiger Band impacted you, your career etc.

Tiger Band was a critical in expanding my exposure to people from various backgrounds and locations. It was a great way of meeting so many interesting and unique individuals. The rich military history of LSU Band aligned with my LSU ROTC traditions as well. The disciple and leadership shaped me throughout my career. Also being an electrical engineering major, Tiger Band afforded me the opportunity to take a break from studying and the stress of school, and just spend time with friends and play music!

What are you looking forward to for Alumni Band Weekend?

Pregame! Last year was the first time the Alumni Band was allowed to march pregame. That was amazing and I hope we get to do that again to relive the good ole days.

Thank you to our amazing Alumni for taking the time out of their day for these interviews! We have many more to share and we can’t wait to continue highlighting these amazing individuals. Know a Tiger Band Alumni that we should highlight? Send us an email at fournotes@lsu.edu with their name, section, and contact information, and one of our volunteers will be in contact as soon as possible!