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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 43
BY SENATOR LONG
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the Northwestern State University of Louisiana "Spirit
of Northwestern Demon Marching Band" on its 100
th
anniversary.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend the Northwestern State University of Louisiana "Spirit of Northwestern2
Demon Marching Band" on its one hundredth anniversary.3
WHEREAS, the marching band at Northwestern Louisiana University, formerly4
known as the Louisiana State Normal School, was formed in 1911 and made appearances5
at every football game beginning in the fall of 1911 until 1919; and6
WHEREAS, immediately following World War I and throughout the 1920s, no7
written evidence exists of an organized band on the campus, however, a strong re-emergence8
began in the 1930s; and9
WHEREAS, in the 1930s, it grew from a small group of volunteers to a fully10
uniformed and fully instrumented ensemble of over sixty members; and11
WHEREAS, the marching band performed at each home football game, annually in12
the Louisiana State Fair Parade, and in 1936, the band appeared in the Texas Centennial13
Parade in Dallas, Texas; and14
WHEREAS, the marching band traveled with Governor Huey P. Long across15
northern Louisiana, performing prior to and after his stump speeches; and16
WHEREAS, in 1940, it began hosting the Louisiana Music Educators District II17
marching contest involving one thousand high school students, and also hosted "band day"18 SCR NO. 43
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which brought at least eight high school marching bands to the campus each year to spend1
a day working with the Demon band; and2
WHEREAS, in 1966, the marching band at Northwestern State College grew to one3
hundred seventy musicians, and4
WHEREAS, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band is a focal point of5
pride at athletic events, in parades, and at university functions throughout the year; and6
WHEREAS, the regal purple and white uniforms reflect the class and spirit of one7
of the South's oldest and finest educational institutions; and8
WHEREAS, the band consists of approximately three hundred members and is open9
to all students, regardless of academic major; and10
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band was named11
one of the top eight college marching bands in the country; and12
WHEREAS, at the beginning of 2011, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching13
Band participated in the New Year's Day Parade and Festival in London, England; and14
WHEREAS, it was one of three finalists for the 2011 Sudler Trophy, an award which15
identifies and recognizes collegiate marching bands of excellence that have made16
outstanding contributions to the American way of life; and17
WHEREAS, throughout the years, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band18
has performed at the highest level of excellence and deserves recognition for its success on19
this momentous occasion; and20
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana wishes to recognize the well-deserved21
accolades that the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band has earned through the22
years and to commend its members for their extraordinary talent and musicality.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby24
express its sincere and heartfelt commendation to the Spirit of Northwestern Demon25
Marching Band for its one hundredth anniversary and for the tremendous honor and pride26
the organization brings to its community, the students and faculty of Northwestern State27
University of Louisiana, and the state of Louisiana.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the29
president of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Dr. Randall J. Webb.30 SCR NO. 43
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Nancy Vicknair.
DIGEST
Long SCR No. 43
Commends the Northwestern State University of Louisiana "Sprit of Northwestern Demon
Marching Band" on its 100
th
anniversary.