TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Music rang out of Smith and Long Hall last week during Troy’s annual South Eastern United States Band Clinic, also known as SEUS.

“We have 273 students here from 45 different schools from throughout the southeast,” said Troy’s Director of Bands, Dr. Mark Walker. “We’re really excited that they’re all here.”

“We use it as a big recruitment tool,” said Graduate Assistant, JaCorey Benjamin. “They get to students interact, interact with guest conductors, interact with us, the staff.”

Auditions were used to divide students into two bands: the Vince Ross Band or the Alex Johnson Band. Both groups had rehearsals throughout Thursday afternoon and into Friday. Members of SEUS say they were able to make connections and grow as players.

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“Playing new music and seeing new people who play the same instrument as me,” said Hannah Tharp.

“It’s a lot different than what I’ve done before, like District Honor Band that I did last year,” said Aarav Patel. “It’s a lot more creative and expanded.”

SEUS concluded with a concert Friday night where musicians played a variety of different works.

“They’re playing music by Robert W. Smith,” Walker said. “They’re playing music by Troy alum David Samuel.”

Walker hopes students who participated in SEUS learned some new skills and will return next year.

“They’ve learned some new techniques, some new ideas they can take to their home band. I also hope they’ve made some friends and they’ve gotten to enjoy our campus and have started to learn about what a wonderful place Troy is.”

The high school version of SEUS will be held Feb. 6-8, 2025.