Stepping Up

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Posted on June 16, 2026 by Alumni

Alumni

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Leading More than 280 members of the Jaguar Marching Band for the first time is a daunting task. But fronting the band on a full-size, lighted practice field that replicates the field at the stadium across the street? That’s kind of legendary.

Two new drum majors, Nathan Sansom and Hailey Romoser, will join returning drum major Rivers Lewis for the 2026-27 season at a new, 250,000-square-foot complex. The field is just a highlight — the complex also has a full ensemble rehearsal hall, drumline and color guard studios, dressing rooms, a music library and expanded storage for uniforms, instruments, props and equipment.

Sansom and Romoser were two of six finalists who showed off their skills in conducting, teaching and mace work leading up to the final step — a Q&A session with current marching band students — before being selected. They say the new complex will only amplify a momentum that was already growing.

“It’s something we can make our home, a collective place for us to grow together,” says Romoser, a sociology major from Biloxi, Mississippi. “So many schools nationwide don’t have what we’ve got. I’m so happy that we have people at South that care about us in the way that they do.”

Sansom, a music education major from Gulf Shores, Alabama, shares that excitement and gratitude.

“I’m excited to see what type of recruiting we can do with a full year in this new facility,” he says. “I see growth in the future of the JMB not just in numbers, but in performance quality and community engagement, and I am excited to see where the future takes us.”

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