FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- The Southside High School band finished its first week of practice on the school's new fight song after the song "Dixie" has been used for 52 years.
Band director Sean Carrier said he and the principal listened to hundreds of songs before a 13-person committee chose the Wabash Cannonball tune to replace "Dixie."
"It's really upbeat. It’s pretty fast -- and it's still got that same historical context that our school's identity is all about,” band co-president Caroline Rhomberg said Friday (August 7).
The nearly 300 members of the band got new sheet music Monday after the Fort Smith school board voted to change the decades-old fight song.
"It is very short notice. We only have a couple of weeks before our first football game,” drum major Alyshia Cook said.
"They're up to the challenge,” Carrier said.
Romberg said they've had a productive week.
"It was pretty crazy, but I'm really surprised all the progress we've made this week,” she said.
Carrier said he's hopeful the controversy surrounding changes at the high school won't be brought to the games.
"The song is in support of our team, and in support of our school and hopefully whatever we play, they're going to love it,” he said.
And even though the change was last minute, the students feel confident.
"Our band is pretty good. We pick things up pretty fast,” Rhomberg said.
“We will still be one of the best bands in the state of Arkansas,” Cook said.
Carrier said the beginning of a new tradition is an exciting time for students.
"It's a chance for them to do things that maybe 20 or 30 years from now students are carrying on those same traditions, and they get to start it,” Carrier said.
Southside’s first football game is Sept. 2 at the University of Arkansas against Alma. The band will also have a concert next Friday for parents and friends.