[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 19, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. RODERICK LITTLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 19, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable musician, Dr. Roderick Little of Jackson, MS. He grew up in 
a musical family/background.
  During his matriculation at Jackson State University (JSU), he 
participated in several ensembles including the famous ``Sonic Boom of 
the South'', where he played in the percussion section as a snare 
drummer, marched as part of the Jackson Five Drum major squad, and 
served as a student arranger for the Sonic Boom and student conductor 
of the Symphonic Band. Dr. Little studied percussion under Dr. Owen 
Rockwell, who is his predecessor at JSU.
  After completing his undergraduate studies, he returned to his high 
school alma mater, Lanier High School. During his tenure at Lanier, his 
bands received excellent and superior ratings at marching/concert 
festivals. He also had students that made the Mississippi All-State 
Lions Band (top student honor band in MS)
  In 2012, Dr. Little began as an Assistant Band Director and 
Instructor of Music at JSU. He was promoted to Associate Director of 
Bands in 2013, and later, the Marching Band Director in 2015. While 
Director of the Marching Band, he has maintained the rich traditions of 
the Sonic Boom while adding a unique twist with the use of technology 
and other innovative ideas. As director, Dr. Little started several 
outreach programs which include, but are not limited to, the Summer 
High School Band Camp and A Day With the Boom; both which act as major 
recruitment agents for the Department of Music/band program grossing 
over 400 to 600 students collectively annually. He started the public 
media relations of the Sonic Boom with the implementation of the Sonic 
Boom Media Team and strengthened social media platforms. Most 
importantly, he improved the inner workings of the overall operations 
of the entire JSU Band(s) program.
  As the drill writer for the Sonic Boom of the South, having several 
monumental field shows adding to the band's lustrous history of band 
pageantry, in the spring of 2020, the Sonic Boom of the South's 
``Saints Halftime Show- Salute to the Veterans'' was selected to be 
featured at the CBDNA-NBC Southern Division Conference, which was the 
first appearance in the school's history.
  Dr. Little is an accomplished conductor, clinician, adjudicator, 
composer, arranger, drill writer, and instrumentalist. He has served as 
a guest clinician in numerous states across the country. He has also 
scored piano music for F & S Music KC Publishing Company. He performed 
with local groups around Jackson, MS, and momentarily in Houston, TX. 
He has professional affiliations with NAFME, PAS, MAE, MBA, HBCU-NBDC 
and CBDNA.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. 
Roderick D. Little for his dedication to The Sonic Boom of The South, 
and impact internationally.

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