UNA band director retires
FLORENCE–Leadership with the University of North Alabama informed music students and Marching Pride members that Director of Bands Lloyd Jones will retire effective March 1, according to a letter sent to the students.
Ryan Zayac, who is the dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering, sent the letter to the students on Jan. 20. Zayac had met with the band students a day earlier to tell them that Jones was officially on leave.
UNA band members and alumni staged a peaceful demonstration on Jan. 16 to protest the handling of the employment of Jones and his wife, Amy, who was notified on Dec. 18 that her contract would not be renewed.
“Dr. Jones has dedicated his career to building one of the region’s most celebrated band programs,” Zayac wrote in his letter to students. “Most recently, under his leadership, the UNA Marching Pride achieved remarkable national recognition for a historic performance at the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
Jones has served as the Marching Pride band director since 2000.
“Over the past 26 years, I’ve had the honor of working with generations of talented students whose dedication and spirit have shaped the UNA Band into what it is today,” Jones wrote in a social media post to UNA alumni band members on Tuesday.
“Much thought went into my decision to retire,” Jones wrote. “… The relationships forged through music, hard work, and shared purpose have left an indelible mark on my life. I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the enduring spirit of the UNA Band.”
In the letter from Zayac, UNA President Ken Kitts said it was a “bittersweet moment” for the university and the bands which performed under Jones.
“His contributions to UNA are immense; we are grateful for his service and very proud of his students’ remarkable accomplishments,” Kitts stated in Zayac’s letter.
Jones was inducted into the Alabama Bandmaster Hall of Fame on Jan. 23 during the annual Alabama Music Education Association conference. He is the 54th inductee, joining his father, Edd Jones. They are the only father-son duo in the Hall of Fame.
“I never thought I would be tapped for this honor, ” Jones said. “You just do your job and try to do it well. These kinds of things don’t cross your mind, because the biggest priority is to give your students a great experience and to make sure they’re learning about music and about life.”
A formal induction ceremony will take place in April in Mobile during the annual Alabama All State Band Festival.
