May returns ‘to glory’ as Auburn University drum major
‘Glory Days’ differ from person to person. For Amy Goddard May, reliving the glory days took her to the 50-yard line of Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Amy May was drum major of the Auburn University Marching Band in 1993.
May reprised her job as drum major of the Auburn University Marching Band for the 26th annual AU Alumni Band Reunion. Dr. Rick Good, director of bands at Auburn, invited May to the event.
The alumni band co-mingled with AU’s marching band and performed during halftime at homecoming against New Mexico State on Nov. 3.
May was drum major during the 1993 football season. “Being named as one of the two drum majors was a distinct honor. With the football team on probation since 1991, there were no bowl games to attend, nor any television appearances,” she said.
“For the team to reach 11-0 status in 1993 and win against the University of Alabama during the Iron Bowl, my year as drum major was an exciting experience,” May said.
At Auburn, May earned a bachelor’s degree in textile engineering and a master’s degree in management of technology.
May started playing French horn in sixth grade at Westlawn Middle School in Huntsville and continued playing through graduate school at Auburn. Along with marching band, May was in the concert and symphonic bands and the horn and brass ensembles.
“I have played in Madison Community Band, as well as during church services and special events at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville,” she said. “What was done on a lark as a way to get out of P.E. class became an enjoyable pastime and hobby.”
She continues to play French horn when helping her son with his tuba practices.
May has lived in Madison for 14 years. “I’m a member of a Schafer Corporation team applying innovative system engineering and integration techniques … to meet needs of the warfighter,” May said.
Her husband Kevin works as corporate controller for The Buntin Group in Nashville. Their sons attend St. John the Baptist Catholic School and her stepdaughter attends Blackman Middle School in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
