MOBILE, Ala. — The University of South Alabama isn’t taking baby steps now that it’s gearing up to field its first-ever regular league football team. Neither is it hesitating to move forward with plans for a full marching band to boost school spirit.

USA officials announced recently the official creation of a marching band by hiring its first director. Ward Miller was tapped to lead the band, but job one for the Auburn, Ala. native is finding members and awarding scholarships.

“It is a challenge, and that’s exciting,” Miller said Monday. It’s a unique opportunity. How often do you get to do something from scratch?” He began his duties at USA on July 15.

The marching band is being developed to complement USA’s NCAA-sanctioned football program, and will perform at all games starting with the team’s inaugural gridiron competition on Sept. 5, 2009. Both the team and band were put on paper in December after the Student Government Association and the student newspaper, The Vanguard, along with other student groups, gathered more than 2,300 student signatures on a petition to endorse a football team.

Miller said, “All variables are in place for success. They didn’t go off half-cocked.” He pointed out that Alabama is a place where college football is very popular, and the coast is known for producing football greats that until now had to attend college elsewhere. Recruiting for both the football and band programs from so much local talent should be a snap, he added.

The programs are expected to enhance campus life at USA, improve student and faculty/staff recruitment efforts, stimulate alumni and philanthropic support, and create closer bonds with the community, according to university officials.

“This is truly a momentous occasion,” stated Dr. Greg Gruner, chair of the department of music and director of bands at USA. “For the first time in the history of the University of South Alabama, we are developing and showcasing a marching band program.

“Student musicians at the University and future students will benefit from the outstanding ensemble experience and from the opportunity to perform for our dedicated students, staff, faculty, alumni and community in the Gulf Coast region”

Miller, who turned 30 in June, came to USA from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he served as an instructor and director of the wind ensemble for the Southeast Iowa Concert Band.

In addition to being marching band director at USA, he will be associate director of bands and teach marching band techniques for music education majors. He will also oversee the basketball pep band.

Miller is now looking for students who are academically focused, and eager to be involved in a marching band. He noted that USA students don’t have to be music majors or minors to be in the marching band, but they must not be beginners either.

“I don’t think you’ll see a college marching band that has a majority of music majors. Their members come from all majors on campus, and they strengthen all departments. If someone is willing to come in and work and learn these things (marching routines), we don’t want to discourage them,” he said.

In the coming weeks, Miller will travel to band camps locally, as well as across the state and region. He said he hopes to recruit a large number of students while maintaining quality.

“We are looking for students who are committed and have a great work ethic,” Miller explained. Some students will showcase their talents while he’s visiting high schools, and others will audition on USA’s campus next spring.

“We don’t want students to be intimidated by the word audition,” Miller said. “We want them to dress casual, bring their instrument and play. The audition process will be less formal than what most students would expect.”

The university will offer eligible students marching band scholarships, according to Miller. He said, “We have scholarships that are competitive with any school in this region. The university administration and Dr. Gruner researched it carefully … If they can beat, blow or twirl, there are service awards for them. No one is going to out-scholarship us.”

The USA Marching Band will become one of the most identifiable parts of the university, Miller said, adding, “We will be marching in parades and exhibitions. We will include a great deal of pageantry while creating quality music. We want to extend the university’s message and brand on the field and wherever we perform, displaying our music and drill. We want students to join us, get in on this historic moment, and make their academic and musical dreams a reality at USA.”

Miller has been published in numerous professional journals, and is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the International Trombone Association, Music Educators National Conference, Golden Key National Honorary Society, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.

He has wrapped up his doctoral coursework in band conducting at the University of Iowa, and is currently completing his dissertation. He received his master’s degree in music from Arizona State University in Tempe, and his bachelor’s degree in music education from Auburn University.

In addition to his work at Iowa Wesleyan College, Miller served as assistant wind ensemble director at Mesa Community College and director of bands at Pleasant Grove and Andalusia high schools.

Miller was a musical arranger and assistant music director for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Web master for Auburn University’s band department, brass clinician for the Phoenix Symphony Guild, a clinician to multiple high school marching and concert bands, and a marching band arranger for high schools in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Minnesota and Nebraska.

“I’m a huge college football fan,” he said. “I’m so glad to come back to my home state and see (football) done right. (The band) will reflect the best product on the football field. It’s the soundtrack of the game. It’s there to get an emotional response. You have to have the band to set the tone for the hometown crowd.”

Miller said the marching band’s name is yet to be determined, but the decision will be made prior to its first public performance.

“We will get together with our students and put feelers out in the community,” he said. “We want it to reflect the university spirit.”

For more information about USA Marching Band scholarships and auditions, contact the department of music at (251) 460-6136, or visit their Web site at www.southalabama.edu/music.