South Oak Cliff marching band seniors earn $2M in Scholarships

The legacy of South Oak Cliff’s Nu Soul of the South marching band has always been bigger than music.

This year, 12 seniors turned that legacy into history, earning $2 million in scholarships and proving the band’s impact reaches far beyond the field.

For Mark N., who is headed to Southern University and A&M College on a $30,000 scholarship, pursuing music beyond high school graduation is a dream come true.

“Over the years, we've known where band could lead you. We've seen a lot of upperclassmen get a lot of money,” Mark said. “Quincy Jones went to school for music and produced for Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer that ever lived. If he could do that, I feel like we could as well.”

He said his long-term goal is to return to The Mecca as band director.  

While marching band ignited a lifelong passion for some, it also opened the door for their classmates’ other future endeavors. 

In Aniyah S.’s case, a band scholarship is the first step toward law school and becoming a criminal defense attorney. Next fall, she is majoring in psychology at Texas Southern University on a full-ride band scholarship. 

Aniyah credits Le Manuel Williams, head band director, for helping guide her. 

“He does right by us all the time and he fights for the band program,” she said, “He wants us to have a good future, and I am so thankful.”

In his second year as head band director, Williams uses his past experiences as a student to encourage his seniors to explore all possibilities after graduation.

“I wasn’t the best prepared for what was next after graduation,” he said. “I only had one full scholarship offer, and that was after I walked across the stage. These students only see that I play very well now, or that I'm a professional trumpet player, but I have to explain to them that it doesn't just happen. It’s a process.”

For seniors like Mark and Aniyah, performances and music mastery are the ultimate resume, opening doors to full rides and prestigious music programs.

“The kids are starting to take ownership of the program,” Williams said. “I teach them that it’s not really who is on the podium; it’s the ‘suit’ in the seats that makes the band special. Regardless of who is in front of them, they’ve always had that capacity in them—they just needed people around them to help pull it out.”