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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 43
BY SENATOR LONG AND REPRESENTATIVE NOWLIN
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend the Northwestern State University of Louisiana "Spirit of Northwestern
Demon Marching Band" on its one hundredth anniversary.
WHEREAS, the marching band at Northwestern Louisiana University, formerly
known as the Louisiana State Normal School, was formed in 1911 and made appearances
at every football game beginning in the fall of 1911 until 1919; and
WHEREAS, immediately following World War I and throughout the 1920s, no
written evidence exists of an organized band on the campus, however, a strong re-emergence
began in the 1930s; and
WHEREAS, in the 1930s, it grew from a small group of volunteers to a fully
uniformed and fully instrumented ensemble of over sixty members; and
WHEREAS, the marching band performed at each home football game, annually in
the Louisiana State Fair Parade, and in 1936, the band appeared in the Texas Centennial
Parade in Dallas, Texas; and
WHEREAS, the marching band traveled with Governor Huey P. Long across
northern Louisiana, performing prior to and after his stump speeches; and
WHEREAS, in 1940, it began hosting the Louisiana Music Educators District II
marching contest involving one thousand high school students, and also hosted "band day"
which brought at least eight high school marching bands to the campus each year to spend
a day working with the Demon band; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, the marching band at Northwestern State College grew to one
hundred seventy musicians; and
WHEREAS, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band is a focal point of
pride at athletic events, in parades, and at university functions throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, the regal purple and white uniforms reflect the class and spirit of one
of the South's oldest and finest educational institutions; and SCR NO. 43 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, the band consists of approximately three hundred members and is open
to all students, regardless of academic major; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band was named
one of the top eight college marching bands in the country; and
WHEREAS, at the beginning of 2011, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching
Band participated in the New Year's Day Parade and Festival in London, England; and
WHEREAS, it was one of three finalists for the 2011 Sudler Trophy, an award which
identifies and recognizes collegiate marching bands of excellence that have made
outstanding contributions to the American way of life; and
WHEREAS, throughout the years, the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band
has performed at the highest level of excellence and deserves recognition for its success on
this momentous occasion; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana wishes to recognize the well-deserved
accolades that the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band has earned through the
years and to commend its members for their extraordinary talent and musicality.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its sincere and heartfelt commendation to the Spirit of Northwestern Demon
Marching Band for its one hundredth anniversary and for the tremendous honor and pride
the organization brings to its community, the students and faculty of Northwestern State
University of Louisiana, and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Dr. Randall J. Webb.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES