FAMU’s Marching 100 excited about pregame Super Bowl performance

(Tallahassee.com)

A blue sky with fluffy white clouds met Florida A&M University’s marching band in West Palm Beach Saturday. But there was no time to enjoy the scenery.

Members of the Marching 100 were given strict orders. Get off the bus quickly. Meet on the football field. Get prepared for a rigorous practice. The 387-member band was there to get down to business — to rehearse its pregame Super Bowl show for Sunday.

Harold and Janice were just two of the nearly 100 area residents who showed up to watch the band practice.

"I come out anytime they’re close to me," Harold Finley, of West Palm Beach. He was decked out in his own Marching 100 gear. "I played tuba in the band in 1976."

The band endured a nearly-10-hour trip from Tallahassee to West Palm Beach on Saturday.

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FAMU’s band prepares for Super Bowl performance

(Talahasse.com) WEST PALM BEACH — Two West Palm Beach hotels across the street from each other will soon be the scene for hundreds of scurrying Florida A&M Marching band members.

The band, known as the Marching 100, is expected to leave Spring Hill Suites and the Courtyard Marriot around 11:30 a.m.

The band has a special show in store for those watching the Super Bowl’s pre-game show.

It’s a tribute to Michael Jackson. However, on this trip, band members have some special guests: Florida A&M’s cheerleaders who are expected to join the band today for a special tribute.

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NCCU band to honor Haiti today

BY MYRA WOOTEN, NCCU
Durham News (Source)

The N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine will pay tribute to the people of Haiti as the band makes its sixth appearance in the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase today in Atlanta.

Performing before a crowd of more than 65,000 fans, the band will take a moment during its 12-minute routine to offer respect to those who have lost so much.

"It was the students’ idea," said band director Jorim Reid. "A lot of people are reaching out to help, and we wanted to do our part."

Band members chose Michael Jackson’s "Earth Song" as their tribute. With a poignant chorus, "What about us," the song will be the concert selection, or ballad of the performance.

"This is the first tragedy of the New Year, and it is so sad," said band chaplain and auxiliary captain Turquoise Thompson, who proposed the idea of a tribute. "There is no way you can see that terrible footage on the news and do nothing."

For Reid, this appearance in the Atlanta showcase holds special significance.

"It has answered my prayers," he said.

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Georgia high school student found guilty of aggravated assult

By AMY LEIGH WOMACK
Macon.com (Source)

A Northeast High School sophomore was convicted of aggravated assault Thursday for punching a senior, causing her to lose consciousness during marching band practice.

The sophomore, a 16-year-old boy, also was found guilty of sexual battery and violating his probation during a Bibb County Juvenile Court trial. The teen was a mellophone player in the high school band.

He is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 5. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in a youth detention center. He was suspended from school after the attack for the remainder of fall semester, but he’s back in school now.

During Thursday’s court session, the senior, a 17-year-old girl, testified that she was on her way to the football field for practice with other marching band members Aug. 27 when the sophomore hit her on the buttocks with his hand.

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X-Treme Motion Dance Crew Set To Take Part In Televised Competition.

Tune In tonight for the season premiere of Randy Jackson Presents:  Americas Best Dance Crew Season 5. which airs on Mtv  at 10pm / 9pm central time.

Amongst this seasons participants is “X-Treme Motion” . This Dance Crew is made up of six  majorettes of formerly of Texas Southern University’s Motion of the Ocean dance troupe. Their goal is to take a style of dance commonly  known amongst HBCU dance teams  to the mainstream Stage. T heir style is influenced by both Street Jazz and Hip-Hop, But These girls are ready to show the world how “Bucking” is done.

For More Info Visit these links below

X-Treme Motion Dance Crew MTV Profile
X-Treme Motion  on MTV Remote Control Blog
Blogging Best Dance Crew

Be Sure to Visit our Dance & Auxiliary Discussion Forum at Bandhead.org

Langston Band Director Investigated For Scholarship Fraud

LANGSTON, OK — Langston University Band Director Albert Jackson has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation for "financial improprieties" university officials announced Wednesday.

The investigation began after the university received a tip in mid-December alleging that Jackson had misappropriated band funds.

According to Langston University Police Chief Michael Storr, Jackson allegedly received cash from scholarships he awarded to ineligible students.

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The Louisiana Drumline Camp Presents: Mini Camp II

With special guest  instructor Johnny Lee Lane..

Prof. Johnny Lee Lane is The Director of Education for Remo, Inc.  Lane is one of the Nation’s foremost college percussion educators, and previously served as Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Eastern Illinois University for 28 years. He also spent three years at Indiana University School of Music at IUPUI, and two years at Tennessee State University.  At Eastern, Lane developed one of the finest total percussion programs in the nation. His students are college teachers, performers, and educators throughout the world.

Saturday March 6, 2010 from 8:30 to 4:00pm at  Sophie B. Wright Charter School located on 1426 Napoleon Avenue,  New Orleans, LA 70115

Camp Fee is $40
To Register Contact: Raymond Ellison  via email Rock06100@aol.com or by phone at 504.287.1506

For all Drum Students ages 8-18.

All students will Receive a camp T-Shirt, The Louisiana Drumline Camp workbook, 1 pear of marching drumsticks and there will also be awards, door prizes, and giveaways. Students are asked to bring there drum or drum pad and sticks.
Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Registration Deadline is March 1st

www.louisianadrumlinecamp.org

Human Jukebox To Perform at NFC Championship Game

The Southern University Marching Band has been chosen to provide halftime entertainment Sunday at the Louisiana Superdome when the New Orleans Saints take on the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL’s NFC Championship game.

Southern’s invitation to perform at the National Football League Championship contest is more proof that the “Human Jukebox” is the icon of college marching bands. Southern was recently the subject of a profile in the New York Times on marching dance routines.

“We are blessed and honored to be on such a tremendous stage as the NFC Championship game to represent Southern University,” said Lawrence Jackson, Director of Bands at Southern. “We hope that our participation will pump up the WHO DATS and push the Saints to victory.”

SU’s band will be part of the 2010 Honda Battle of Bands held January 30 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The event will showcase Southern and marching bands representing seven other historically black colleges and universities.

The Human Jukebox will hold practice from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Superdome. Kick-off is at 5:30 p.m.

Istrouma High First Annual Drum Battle

This event will take place on January 23, 2010 at 4p.m. to 8p.m. inside the Istrouma High Gymnasium. This will be the biggest event in the city of Baton Rouge this weekend.. Admission is only $7.00. If anyone is interested in participating please send me a message or contact Mr. Pollard at (225)355-7701 or Mr. Isaac at(225)333-1692

Conformed Drum Sections:

St Martinville High
Peabody High
Berhman Middle
Lutcher High
East St John High
Plaqumine High
Southern Lab
Mckinley High
Opelousas High

Posted by Tre’von Johnson @ Bandhead,org

Krewe of Harambee parade celebrates Mardi Gras, MLK Jr.

The Krewe of Harambee had good weather as it kicked off the area Mardi Gras season with its annual Mardi Gras MLK parade held Monday in downtown Shreveport.

The theme this year was Harambee presents Sankofa, which means reflecting on the past while looking to the future, with attorney Jacqueline Scott as the grand marshal.

Anticipation and excitement filled the air as hundreds of people lined up along Milam and Texas streets waiting to see the parade pass through.

After a procession that included firefighters, police officers and ROTC officers, Woodlawn High School’s marching band kicked things off with rousing performance of The Jacksons classic, “Torture.”

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