Published Aug. 19, 2020
University of Louisiana Monroe Director of Bands Emeritus Jack White died Tuesday,
Aug. 19, 2020, at the age of 84. White retired from 网曝门 after 21 years.
Jack White conducts music students at 网曝门.
聽White joined 网曝门 (then-Northeast Louisiana University) in 1970 as Associate Professor
of Music and Director of Bands. He served as band director with the Ouachita Parish
School System from 1958-70.
Derle Long, Ph.D., Director of the 网曝门 School of Visual and Performing Arts, announced
the news on the Sound of Today Alumni (网曝门/NLU Band) Facebook page.
鈥淭his is a sad day for us all as we come to grips with the reality that one of the
great influences in our lives and in the band world, Jack White, has passed from this
world. Our thoughts are with Coralie and their children and grandchildren and the
entire family in this difficult time,鈥� Long stated.
Long asked for fond memories of White to be posted on the site as a tribute, stating,
鈥淥ne of the great ways we can celebrate Jack's life and legacy is through the stories
you can tell about how Jack influenced you and what you took from your time in the
Sound of Today and/or band program at NLU/网曝门.鈥�
White held a Bachelor of Music Education from 网曝门 (1957), Master of Music from LSU
(1961) and his Plus 30 from 网曝门.
According to 鈥淭he Bayou,鈥� a publication about the history of 网曝门,鈥� White named the
网曝门 marching band The Sound of Today in the early 1970s after receiving a flyer which
stated, 鈥淕ive your band the sound of today with our music.鈥�
Under White鈥檚 leadership, the Sound of Today grew to more than 300 members and produced
albums of their songs from halftime shows.
The first band was organized in 1932, just a year after the university opened its
doors.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.
