As the Sound of the South Marching Band continues to prepare and raise funds to perform in the 2027 London Parade, band members are excited about representing Troy University in one of the largest New Year’s events in the world.

The Sound of the South (SOTS) welcomes students of all majors to be involved and perform in front of thousands each year on and off campus. Sydney Strickland, a junior studying general science education from Hartford, shared she has enjoyed meeting her closest friends while performing the piccolo in Veterans Memorial Stadium and staying involved in music as a non-music major.

“I love that SOTS provides everyone with the opportunity to experience marching band, whether you’re a music major, non-music major, or if you have any marching experience,” said Strickland. “I have never felt more welcomed by any other community at TROY than SOTS.”

For Strickland, traveling to London is not only an exciting opportunity, but a bittersweet ending for her marching career.

“I am extremely excited to be presented with the opportunity to travel abroad with SOTS, and especially excited that I get to go with all of my best friends,” Strickland said. “The 2026-2027 season will be my last at TROY, and I think it is an out-of-this-world opportunity to get to end my marching career in London with SOTS!”

“I am excited to share a little bit of what we do with the rest of the world,” Strickland continued. “Marching band is something that is unique to the United States and I am excited to show others what SOTS is.”

Ginny Messenger, a junior studying criminal justice from Dothan, has appreciated the experience of playing the piccolo throughout her time at TROY and gaining friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Messenger shared she was beyond excited when the band was given the opportunity to go to London.

 “I knew I might never have another chance to do something like this and now I will get to go with all of my friends,” Messenger said. “Next season will be my last with SOTS and ending my marching career with a parade in London sounds like the best thing.”

Walker Duncan, a graphic design major from Hayden who plays the alto saxophone, said SOTS has been a community that had become a makeshift family. For Duncan, the trip to London represents an opportunity to perform with said family in front of the world.

“It goes without saying that I’m excited about effectively being on the global stage,” Duncan said. “I also want to explore the city in a part of the world I never imagined I’d visit.”

London’s New Year’s Day Parade takes place in Westminster and offers performance opportunities before a street audience of more than 600,000 spectators and a global television audience of up to 600 million viewers. The Sound of the South will also perform in the Festival Concert Series at London’s most prestigious music venues.

The band is raising funds to help cover travel and logistical costs for the trip. Donations will help offset student travel expenses, making the trip more accessible for them. You can learn more about the trip and donate here.