Faulkner University Band

 

Faulkner offers associate and bachelor degree programs at locations throughout Alabama.

 Faulkner University Band

The Faulkner University Band is the university's largest instrumental ensemble. Members are selected by audition and perform as the "Marching Eagles" in the fall and as the Faulkner University Concert Band in the spring. Membership is open to both music majors and non-music majors. Scholarships beginning at $16,000 per student per year are available to qualified applicants, regardless of the student's major.  These scholarships are fully funded and available to any student who qualifies. For more information, contact mbird@faulkner.edu or call (334) 386-7496.

Faulkner Swingin' Eagles

The Faulkner University “Swingin’ Eagles" is a traditional jazz combo/big band that performs music from a variety of jazz eras including swing, bebop, funk, and fusion. The group gives performances in the community and at least one on-campus concert per semester. Membership is open to both music majors and non-music majors. The “Swingin’ Eagles” also play host to the Faulkner Jazz Festival in the spring, spotlighting jazz band programs from around the state. For more information, contact mbird@faulkner.edu or call (334) 386-7496.

About the Band Directors

Robby Glasscock

Dr. Robby Glasscock is the Director of Bands at Faulkner University and is the director of the Marching and Concert bands. After graduation from Holtville High School, Dr. Glasscock earned his B.M.E. degree from Troy University; M.S. from Alabama State University; and Ph.D. in Music Education from Auburn University. Dr. Glasscock served as a band director for Tallassee City Schools for 25 years. During that time, he led the Tallassee High School band through tremendous growth and consistently earned Superior ratings at every contest entered in both marching and concert band competitions. The “Pride of Tallassee” band appeared on national television and in parades around the country, including the Magnificent Mile parade in Chicago (2010, 2016); the Fiesta Flambeau in San Antonio (2014); the Parade of Lights in Fort Worth (2022); and the oldest Christmas parade in the nation, the Boscov’s / Dunkin’ Donuts Christmas Parade in Philadelphia (2008). The band also performed at the King Felix III Mardi Gras Parade in Mobile, right behind the mayor of Mobile (2023); served as the Elmore County representative at the Alabama Bicentennial Parade in 2019 as well as the Gubernatorial Inaugural Parades in 2011 and 2015; performed the National Anthem for the Ag-Pro NASCAR 500 race (2023); and was the halftime band for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game (2012). “Dr. G,” as his students call him, is a first-call musician in the River Region. Dr. Glasscock is married to Amanda and together they have five children: Sarah Jane, Jacob, Kinsley, Thomas, and Troy.  His major instrument is the French horn.
 

Michael Bird

Mr. Michael Bird serves as the assistant Director of Bands and is the director of the “Swingin’ Eagles” jazz band at Faulkner. Following graduation from Robert E. Lee High School, he earned his B.M.E. and M.S. degrees from Troy University. Mr. Bird taught for 28 years in Alabama’s public schools, serving at Frisco City High School, Zion Chapel High School, and Robert E. Lee High School before spending 20 years with Tallassee City Schools. As a choir director, Mr. Bird team-taught in a program that featured seven different choral groups encompassing over 220 choral students. He directed the “Gold Edition” all-male show choir that was the original men’s show choir in the state of Alabama and one of the few in the country. Mr. Bird was the co-director of Capital City Classic show choir competition for 15 years, which brought over 40 high school show choirs to the MPAC in Montgomery every year. On the band side, Mr. Bird was the founder of the Tallassee Jazz Fest and managed it for 10 years. Bands from all over the state, from middle school to collegiate, came to Tallassee to perform. Mr. Bird is also a writer for the Tallassee Tribune and radio host for WACQ-AM 580 & FM 98.5. He serves as a night manager for Tallassee Super Foods and marketing director for Jaco Sales. In 2015, sales of Mr. Bird’s book Fanfare: The 75-Year Legacy of the Troy University Bands helped to raise over $20,000 for the band program at his alma mater. He is married to professional trumpet player and music teacher Sena Thibodeaux Bird and together they have seven children: Michaela, Miriam, Abbey, Danielle, Gregory, Lydia, and Norah. His major instrument is the trombone. 

Band Staff:
Amanda Glasscock, Majorette Instructor
John Glasscock, Percussion Instructor
Amber Sarquiz, Color Guard Instructor