Written by Alissa Galyon
For the first time in nearly a decade and only the second time in UT Bands history, the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music has named two women to lead its Pride of the Southland Marching Band (POTSB) as Drum Major and Assistant Drum Major.
On Friday, March 6, the POTSB announced that Sydney Flenniken will serve as Drum Major, leading the 415-person band in Neyland Stadium this fall, with Grace Dobrescu as Assistant Drum Major. Both Flenniken, of Seymour, Tennessee, and Dobrescu, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, are Music Education majors and are expected to graduate in Spring 2027.
Flenniken’s appointment represents a story of leadership progression. She has been a member of the Pride of the Southland for her entire undergraduate career and has served as Assistant Drum Major for the past three years.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected by my peers as the new Drum Major. As the Assistant Drum Major, I had to know what to do and be ready to step in if something happened to Christian or Chandler [former drum majors],” Flenniken said. “Now that I am finally able to do it, it is super, super exciting.”
Becoming Drum Major of the historic marching band involves a multi-step audition process that culminates with the band voting to select its next leader. Following an interview process, finalists are chosen by Michael Stewart, Director of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, and Fuller Lyon, Associate Director of Athletic Bands. The candidates must then demonstrate to their peers that they are capable of the position.
The audition begins with each candidate performing the legendary Drum Major strut on the practice field. It is followed by a “Game Day Simulation,” during which a video of a UT football game is played. Candidates must know which songs to lead the band through based on various game scenarios, such as defensive stops, turnovers, touchdowns, and field goals. The process concludes with Stewart and Lyon moderating a Q&A session in which band members can ask the candidates questions. At the end of the evening, band members provide feedback and vote on who they believe should serve as the next Drum Major and Assistant Drum Major. Student feedback and voting play an important role in informing the final leadership selection.
“The Drum Major is the most difficult job in that stadium. You are conducting 415 of your peers in front of hundreds of thousands of people in the stands and millions of viewers on national television,” said Stewart. “It’s incredibly important that our students have a voice in this process when selecting their new leadership team. It’s become an annual tradition and signals the first steps we take as a band for the next year. It’s always exciting and offers a fresh start for everybody.”
The Drum Major position represents one of the most recognizable traditions in college football. In fact, the iconic Drum Major strut serves as the face of the Pride of the Southland’s brand in its logo.
The Pride of the Southland has represented the University of Tennessee and the state since its initial organization following the Civil War. What began as a small, all-male band has grown into a 415-member university marching band known worldwide for its outstanding musical performance and precision marching. Today, it stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate band programs in the world.
Flenniken and Dobrescu’s appointments mark only the second time the band has been led by two women. The first occurred in 2017, when Rebecca Percy served as Drum Major and Laiton Pigg as Assistant Drum Major. In the band’s 150+ year history, only four women have served as Drum Major – until now.
“I think it’s really amazing to have two female drum majors this year,” said Dobrescu. “It’s been a while since that’s been the case. I think Sydney is awesome, and I can’t wait to lead alongside her and learn from her this season.”
Together, Flenniken and Dobrescu will carry forward one of the University of Tennessee’s most visible traditions when the Pride of the Southland returns to Neyland Stadium this fall.
