Marching 101 heads to Atlanta for HBCU Hall of Fame Classic
August 30, 2008
Source: The Times and Democrat
The sounds of the South Carolina State University Marching 101 band will fill the skies of Atlanta this Labor Day during its performance at the first-ever HBCU Hall of Fame Marching Band Classic.
“I’m very excited to showcase our band. … We’ve been there before but not to an event of this magnitude,” said S.C. State Band Director Eddie Ellis of the trip. The event will be held at Herndon Stadium on the campus of Morris Brown College.
That event will culminate a busy weekend that includes a stop in Orlando for the Bulldogs’ opening football game against the University of Central Florida on Saturday. When the band finally returns to campus, they will have traveled more than 1,000 miles this weekend.
Prairie View Invited to Tournament of Roses Parade
August 29, 2008
Source: KBTV.com
Everything is coming up roses for Prairie View A&M.
The university’s renowned Marching Storm Band and Black Foxes dance team have been invited to perform in the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena California.
A news conference is set for August 29th for the official announcement. The Marching Storm had entertained audiences around the U.S. earning a reputation for its outstanding performances and showmanship.
Past appearances include President Bush’s Inauguration Parade in Washington, D.C. and halftime for the Dallas Cowboy.
La Marque High School Changes Styles
August 29, 2008
The La Marque High School marching band has given up flashy dancing and hip hop songs for a more subdued “multicultural” routine. The Texas City High School marching band has sacrificed its original score for a tune by the Beatles.
Tonight, high school marching bands will roll out routines that are much different from what fans have come to expect. And while some are changing their halftime shows to make fans happy (listen for Texas City High School’s band to open with the Beatles’ “Hey Jude”), other bands are curbing the crowd-pleasing routines that have bordered on the risqué.
This year, the band director at La Marque High School said he is “cleaning up” the routine. Abraham Cosse, band director for two years, eliminated hip hop songs and dancing from most of the band’s halftime show. Instead of rap music, the band will play R&B, gospel, classical and maybe even some rock songs, he said.
Read more
Boston Brass at South Carolina State Univ.
August 28, 2008
South Carolina State University and the Bamberg Erhardt High School Band are proud to present the Boston Brass in concert on September 17 at 7 PM at the MLK Auditorium on the campus of South Carolina State University.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for Adults.
Contact Mike Miller at 803-383-2764 for more information
http://www.bostonbrass.com/
HBCU Band Hall of Fame Battle of the Bands Moved to Herndon Stadium, Event Still Scheduled as Planned
August 28, 2008
The HBCU Band Hall of Fame Battle of the Bands has changed venues and will be held on the campus of Morris Brown College at Herndon Stadium.
As we get more information we will keep you posted.
Nevada, Grambling bands to perform together after game
August 27, 2008
They’ve brought their version of “Ball of Confusion” to three Super Bowls and two presidential inaugurations, and this week members of Grambling State University’s world famous Tiger Marching Band will be shaking things up in Reno.
Nevadans have two chances to catch the Tigers: Friday at a free performance at the Peppermill and Saturday when Grambling State’s football team plays the Wolf Pack in Mackay Stadium.
It’s an athletic and musical matchup that has been two years in the making, Rory Hickok, Nevada associate athletic director, said.
“We started the negotiations in 2007, so this has been in the works for quite a while now,” he said. “This is truly a historic occasion to get a band of this renown in Northern Nevada. They have played at presidential inaugurations and Super Bowl halftimes, so this is an opportunity to see one of the world’s most famous bands.” Read more
French Filmmakers Follow Virginia State Band
August 27, 2008
Source: Styleweekly.com
A clutch of lawyers and French filmmakers gathered on the 17th floor of the James Center last week to celebrate a documentary about college marching bands.
“We are interested by the situations of American college students,” says Annie Miller, the film’s producer and the director’s wife. With an Andy Warhol sweep of hair, canvas sneakers printed with tiny hearts and beer in hand, Miller, from Paris, looked very much the part. A lawyer at the Williams Mullen firm had helped wrangle visas and work permits for the crew.
The crew plans to film bands at Virginia State University, a historically black college in Petersburg, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville during the run-up to the presidential election. There’s even a chance that one of the bands featured will be invited to join the inauguration parade in Washington, D.C., in January.
Read more
Fashion website ranks SU Among the Best Dressed Bands in the Country
August 26, 2008
Source: 2theadvocate.com
It’s not just the music, it’s the style. When Southern University’s Human Jukebox struts on to the field, the striking dark blue uniforms with their sky blue chest plates demand attention.
Even if they couldn’t play a note — and what a laughable thought that is — these musicians could entertain the crowds that fill Mumford Stadium on looks alone. A flip of the gold-lined cape, a snap of the white feather billowing at the front of their hats, a peek of snow white spats and there’s no doubt — this is one sharp-dressed band.
Nevada raises money for GSU Band Appearance.
August 26, 2008
Source: The Record Courier
The Nevada Wolf Pack’s football season-opener this weekend will bring with it a subtle storyline, ironic and awkward. This one won’t have any effect on the outcome of the game.
On one side of the stadium you’ll have the famed Grambling State Tiger Marching Band, flown in from Louisana and ready to put on an incredible show.
On the other side, you’ll have the University of Nevada’s Pride of the Sierra Marching Band, unfortunately outclassed and clinging on to its dear life.
The University put the band on the chopping block this summer as part of continuing state-mandated budget cuts. Recent reports have said it will take $250,000 raised from the community for the band to gain another year of life.
Here’s the catch: Grambling’s band, a 179-member unit that travels only for a fee paid by the host, is coming to town at a price tag rumored to be between $30,000 to $150,000. Judging by the size of the band and coupled with higher air fares and room rates, my guess would be toward the higher end.
Read more
Alabama State Band to Participate in the HBCU Marching Band Hall of Fame
August 25, 2008
Alabama State University’s Mighty Marching Hornets Band has been selected to march in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Marching Band Hall of Fame in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on Sept. 1. The event will start at 2 p.m. EST. The Mighty Marching Hornets isone of six college bands chosen to participate. Other participating bands from across the nation include: Grambling State University’s World Famed Grambling Marching Band; Southern University’s The Human Jukebox; Jackson State University’s The Sonic Boom of the South; North Carolina A&T University’s The Blue & Gold Marching Machine; and South Carolina State University’s The Marching 101.
The event is a showcase of spirit and showmanship from America’s HBCUs and will feature the best in HBCU marching band entertainment. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the United Negro College Fund. The HBCU Marching Band Hall of Fame also will award $120,000 in grants to the participating bands.
“We are pleased to be a part of the HBCU Marching Band Hall of Fame,” said James Oliver, ASU director of bands. “We have an excellent group of students who are looking forward to sharing their talents with the world.”
Tickets to the Hall of Fame are $10 for general admission and can be purchased at Ticketmaster or via the Georgia Dome box-office. For more information on the HBCU Marching Band Hall of Fame, visit www.marchingbandhof.com.
