TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The Sound of the South (SOTS) hosted over 400 8th-12th graders to teach them about music and leadership.

Musicians, dancers, majorettes and color guard members swarmed TROY’s campus for this year’s Sound of the South Summer Leadership Camp.

“The kids come here for a week and they get into these classes and they learn various skills and they hone various skills,” said Director of Bands Dr. Mark Walker. “They not only improve themselves but when they go home they take these skills home to their bands. They’re able to improve their bands with what the learn here.”

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Troy University students that are members of the band helped run the camp. Walker said the camp serves as a learning tool for those students, especially those in programs such as music education and music industry.

“They are serving as RA’s, resident assistants, in the dorms, camp counselors, instructors, assistants and helpers,” Walker said. “They work with the students in groups and individually, and they’re getting lots of hands on experience that’s going to help them in their future careers.”

Band organizers hope the camp encourages high school students to consider coming to TROY once they graduate.

“This is just a great recruiting tool for the Sound of the South and also for Troy University. It’s just a great opportunity to have all these students on campus and see all the wonderful things that we have to offer,” Walker said.

As always, SOTS hopes students will choose TROY because as the Sound’s motto goes, if they do, they have a place for you in the Sound of the South.