Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1984
Dr. David L. Walters was a native of Youngstown, Ohio. After graduating from Struthers High School, Dr. Walters served six years in the Navy, where he graduated from the United States Navy School of Music. He continued his music education by working on and receiving the B.S. Degree in Music from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He continued his education with graduate work in Musicology at Washington University in St. Louis and Florida State University.
Dr. Walters' teaching career began as Band Director at Fairfield High School in Hamilton, Ohio. From there, he moved to New Bern, North Carolina, his final stop before Jax State. In 1961, Dr. Walters came to Jacksonville State University, and served as Director of Bands from 1961 to 1991. He continued to develop The Marching Southerners by personally arranging the music which gave the Southerners their unique sound and trademark. He also arranged many fine danceline tunes specifically for the JSU Marching Ballerinas. By featuring this group, the Ballerinas became one of the finest danceline groups in the country. With his ability to arrange and produce such a unique sound for the field along with his clever drill writing, strong traditions emerged from within the group. Section leaders were chosen from each section of the band and this proved to be an excellent educational tool. The band ultimately became one of the finest college bands in the United States.
During his tenure as Director of Bands, The Southerners performed at hundreds of band competitions as the exhibition band. They performed as the halftime entertainment for the Atlanta Falcons for many years. Dr. Walters wrote the "theme" music for the All-American Bowl which was played in Tampa, Florida, where the Southerners performed many times. The Southerners represented Alabama in the Inaugural Parade for President Lyndon Johnson in the early 60s. In 1976, the Southerners were selected to represent Alabama in the Bi-Centennial parade in Philadelphia. Dr. Walters' Symphonic Bands also toured the Southeast and performed for many high schools and recruited some of the finest performers. His band program produced many great music directors and educators from the nearly 5,000 band alumni during his tenure.
Feb. 2026