Press Conference: Dr. Lewis Liddell Speaks about his Retirement

Dr. Lewis Liddell Speaks about his retirement (audio)

Lewis Liddell Director of Bands at Jackson State University, Shocks the Band World, Retires

Source:  Jackson State University Public Relations

JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University’s Director of Bands Lewis Liddell has retired from Jackson State after 17 years. As director, Liddell led the famed Sonic Boom of the South marching band and supervised the administration of the entire band program, which includes the symphonic band, concert band, woodwind ensemble, brass ensemble, percussion ensemble, pep band and Prancing J-Settes dance line.

The decision, he said, comes after more than three years of consideration.
“I was playing a young man’s game,” said Liddell, 64. “I had to make some decisions for my family and myself. I need to move on and let other folks enjoy it and give the program a chance to grow.”

Liddell plans to vacation with his wife of 41 years, Frances Liddell, who retired from the Jackson State Department of Public Policy and Administration in 2008.

Liddell’s departure comes at the same time as that of music department chair Jimmie James, the voice of the Sonic Boom. James leaves the university after 43 years. He calls Liddell’s departure a “big loss.”

“While it is going to put pressure on the band staff,” James said, “I think with a lot of hard work the Sonic Boom will rise to the occasion and work very diligently to have a banner season.”

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Important Information for Members of the Sonic Boom of the South

Source:  Jackson State University Band Staff

Important Information for Members of the Sonic Boom of the South

Final J-Sette try-outs will be held 7/10-7/12/2009
Freshmen band members report to camp on 8/8/2009
Returning band members report to camp on 8/17/2009

For additional information please contact:
Mr. Renardo Murray@ 601-979-1057
Mr. Lowell Hollinger@ 601-979-7065
Mr. Owen Rockwell @ 601-979-2148

Florida A&M arranger Lindsey Sarjeant reacts to the death of Michael Jackson

Lindsey Sarjeant, director of jazz studies at Florida A&M University and musical arranger for the school’s Marching 100, said Jackson had a very important role in his musical development.

“It was 1970 when I was in college and when the Jackson 5 first got started. The music they made, I grew up with,” Sarjeant said.

Sarjeant called Jackson’s death “heartbreaking.”

“You know you’re talking about a guy who single-handedly transformed pop music in the world. He was indeed the king of pop, regardless of his personal life, you can’t negate the genius of the man, and we have lost a great musician.”

Sarjeant, who has been arranging music for the marching band since he graduated in 1974, said Jackson was an iconic figure.

Full Article can be seen Here @ Tallahassee.com

Job Posting - Director of Bands, Banneker High School

Banneker High School in the Fulton County School District in Atlanta, Georgia  is located in College Park, south of the City of Atlanta. We are searching for a band director to build our band program.  I am contacting colleges and universities whose band traditions are of interest to my students, parents, and community.  Our pay scale is very competitive, and we fully accept all credible and verified experience.  We are currently interviewing candidates.

Interested candidates may send a resume and teaching certification status to me at:  Bradleyw@fultonschools.org .

William W. Bradley, Principal

East St. John Wildcats back from D.C.

The East St. John High School Concert Band returned from their trip to Washington, D. C. for their performance for the 200th Birthday Celebration of Abraham Lincoln, the performance was Friday 6/19 in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

The ESJ Band (33 students) and chaperons visited the Washington Monument, Union Station, Viet Nam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Museum of American History, and Arlington Cometary and caught the “changing of the guard” at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Read more

2009 Alabama State University Stingette Auditions

Attentions all Stingette Candidates!!!
Tryouts will begin Sunday August 2nd

Registration 11-4pm Tullibody Hall (Music Building) Additional info will be given after registration
Remember the 3P’S Pretty, Professional & Punctual.

Preliminary Round Tuesday August 4th
(Attire for Preliminaries: 2pc required! Your Choice!
Remember the 3F’s Flattering, Fitted & Fabulous
Final Auditions will be held on Wednesday August 5th
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Accolades Pour in from Throughout the World Hailing George Edwards

For Distribution: Urban Sports News Wire: 214-929-8573, urbansportsnews@yahoo.com

Dallas, TX–(June 3, 2009)— The news of the death of  Prairie View Band Director, George Edwards who died May 28th due to complications from a traffic accident in Houston, Texas on May 10 has generated an outpouring of love from across the globe. The following are just of few of the comments.

New York Times: “I stumbled into meeting George Edwards, and now I can’t believe my luck.  Researching a piece on HBCU marching bands, I watched a lot of band videos.  The Marching Storm was the one, clearly: a great band in an isolated place–I wonder what the story is there?  So I called George, who seemed welcoming.

I didn’t know how welcoming until I got there.  He let me into everything–he let me, and eventually a cameraman, completely get in his way.  I don’t know if I’ve seen anyone give more of himself to more people.  He was completely exciting to watch. I had to force myself to take notes.  He would heat up and get animated and almost wild, but he kept a sense of humor and he kept helping kids out, solving their problems.  He was the kind of the central point of good judgment and good sense and good ethics.

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Nationally Renowned Prairie View Band Director Passes Away

For Distribution, Urban Sports News Wire Service:214-929-8573, urbansportsnews@yahoo.com

Nationally Renowned Prairie View Band Director Passes Away
Dallas, TX–(June 2, 2009)—Nationally renowned Prairie View Band Director, George Edwards, died May 28th due to complications from a traffic accident in Houston, Texas on May 18th. Edwards, who was 60, directed the Prairie View “Marching Storm” for 30 years. He first arrived in Prairie View in 1978.

Edwards performed under the legendary director, William Foster, as part of the FAMU “Marching 100.” He obtained a Masters Degree in music education from Michigan State University.

“On behalf of the entire PVAMU community, we offer our deepest condolences to the entire Edwards family. For three decades we were fortunate to have George contribute to our community…,” said PVAMU President George C. Wright, in an official university statement.
Edwards took over a band that numbered 25, had fewer instruments, and built it into an international powerhouse. One of the stars of the new generation of band directors, ProfessorEdwards took the FAMU concept of innovative formations, fast stepping and added drum routines, clever framing, the “Black Foxes,” and raised the level of black college halftime performances to another level. In 2008, the Prairie View band marched more than 310 and was known from coast-to-coast simply as the “Storm.” By 2008, he had his pick of the top high school band members from coast-to-coast.

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The Band Community mourns the loss of Prof. George Edwards, Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University

The Band World is Shocked and Saddened by the Loss of Professor George Edwards, Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University.  The late Professor Edwards died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  The Funeral will be Friday June 5 on the Campus of Prairie View.  The viewing will be from 8am to 11am. The funeral service begins at 11am.

Here is more on the late Prof. Edwards

Source: PVAMU.com

A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mr. Edwards completed his undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Florida.  As a student he was selected as Student Arranger for the “Marching 100” and also won the “Outstanding Senior Award” for his work with the world renowned band.  Also, some of his arrangements were performed by the “Marching 100” at the “Super Bowl”.  He received his Masters Degree from Michigan State University where   his marching band arrangements were performed at half-time and recorded by the Spartan Marching Band.

    As Director of Bands at PVAMU, Mr. Edwards has built the “Marching Storm” from a 25-piece struggling band into a world-renowned first-class 260-300-piece band of musical athletes.  The Black Foxes (the band’s majorettes) are considered to be the best in the business and are under the direction of Dr. Margaret Sherrod, a former “Miss Prairie View A&M University”.  He was the first of the HBCU marching band directors to incorporate percussion features during half-time performances (1989) as was seen by the audience at the 2004 Honda Battle of the Bands (Atlanta).  The Marching Storm was the only band that received a standing ovation, (3) standing ovations.
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