The Murray Tiger Band is a 2021 recipient of the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield Award. The Sudler Shield Award identifies, recognizes and honors outstanding international marching bands who are at a world-class level of excellence.
The Murray Tiger Band was selected based on international standards of excellence in musical performance, marching execution, choreography and show design.
The band is under the direction of Tim Zeiss and assisted by Beth Stribling.
The John Philip Sousa Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of band music internationally. The foundation administers awards supporting high-quality band performance, conducting and composition.
After being nominated for the award, Zeiss submitted an official application along with a video from the 2021 competitive marching season. The application was reviewed by more than two dozen collegiate and high school band directors, retired band directors and fine arts directors from around the world.
The 2021 marching season was incredibly memorable and one for the record books. The Murray Tiger Band won overall grand champions at the Murray State’s Festival of Champions, won the KMEA Class 3A State Championship, and was named a Bands of America National Semi-Finalist and Class A National Champion in Indianapolis, IN.
Community Invited to Award Ceremony
The community is invited to the award ceremony, where the Murray Tiger Band will receive the prestigious Sudler Shield Award from the chairman of the committee and Director of Bands at the University of Arkansas- W. Dale Warren
The free concert and presentation will begin at 2 p.m. in the Taylor Gymnasium Sunday, March 27, 2022.