Johnson C Smith’s 110 Member Band Hopes To Attend 2009 Honda BOTB
September 28, 2008
Source: The Charlotte Observer
Darkness fell over Johnson C. Smith University as uptown’s skyline glistened in the distance and a cool breeze blew through the hilltop campus for a night of quiet study.
Yet any chance for calm was quickly broken. The International Institution of Sound, JCSU’s 110-member, high-stepping marching band, was about to start another three hours of practice.
At 7:10 p.m., the drumline pounded a marching beat, revving energy through the band as whistles from three drum majors sounded the order to march.
Rehearsed and stretched, hips swiveled, feet shuffled. Sweet brass filled the air, and the band — dancers and the flag corps in tow — snaked as one through campus to the practice field.
Students hung out windows, or off to the side, bopping to the beat.
New SWAC Rules Silence Grambling Band
September 21, 2008
By Darryl D. Smith — Black College Wire
The World Famed Tiger Marching Band sat silent, unable to play to the fans’ wishes. The Southwestern Athletic Conference has started enforcing its rules regarding band performances. The rules were issued to the SWAC band directors on Aug. 19, according to a document obtained by The Gramblinite.
The document states that bands “shall not create any noise that prohibits a team from hearing its signals.”
When an “offensive team breaks the ‘huddle’ and approaches the line of scrimmage, the band shall cease playing.” The bands also cannot use drum rolls or beats, cymbals clashing, horn sounds or any other kind of musical instrument while the ball is in play.
Florida A&M’s Marching 100 Seeks Additional Funding
September 18, 2008
Source: The Famuan
The Florida A&M University Marching 100 is growing and needs more money to pay for all the travel and activities.
The band’s activities are financed through a variety of sources, including and activities and service fees. The 2008-2009 academic year is the final year of a five-year agreement under which the Marching 100 will receive money from the Florida A&M University Student Senate, according to Kamilia Landrum, Organization and Finance Chair, who spoke at the fourth session of the 38th Student Senate Monday.
Director of Band Operations Julian White said the band has received money from the FAMU Student Government Association since William P. Foster headed the band nearly 50 years ago. SGA members were unclear about the details of the agreement and are researching it.
Read more
Marchingsport Forums Down
September 17, 2008
On Monday evening we experienced a Disk Error on the blackcollegebands.com server. We are in the process of trying to recover data from the server and ask that you use Bandhead.org for Group and Forum Discussions until we can get the matter resolved.We thank you for your loyalty, support and patience and hope to have things running back to normal shortly.
TxSU Band Pulls out of Game due to Ike, leaves Shaw alone in the spotlight
September 13, 2008
Shaw University Platinum Sound Marching Band drummer Therrell Lyon is all business at a 2004 show in Fayetteville, N.C.
By Edward Ortiz
SaccBee.com
Thanks to Hurricane Ike, the gridiron will belong to the high-steppers of Shaw University during the so-called “fifth quarter” of today’s Capital City Football Classic featuring two historically black colleges at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.
The storm’s onset has forced the Texas Southern University band to pull out of the event, leaving Shaw’s Platinum Sound Marching Band alone in the spotlight.
That puts some pressure on Shaw since fans of black college football relish the unique musical and physical pyrotechnics as much as the athletic competition.
“The marching style that Shaw does is a very unique high-stepping style,” said Charles V. Brown, band director and professor of music for Shaw University. “This is done by raising the legs up to 90 degrees high and kind of strutting like a horse.”
Brown has been instrumental in building the band’s reputation as premier high-steppers, serving as director for the past 34 years and ushering in the recent incarnation of the band program for the past eight.
Florida A&M Drum Majors Serve as Honary Guards at Young Bus Victims Funeral
September 13, 2008
Source: WCTV.com
Cars filled the streets for a half a mile around Faith Christian Family Center.
The community came together to show their sympathy, and support, for Ronshay Dugans, an eight year old girl who died in a bus accident on Capital Circle.
A church that holds twelve hundred people, was packed from wall to wall, with standing room only, for those celebrating the life of a beloved little girl.
“I think of her as a teacher, and hopefully that people can reflect on Ronshay’s short time here on earth, and um, you know, the impact that she had, the joy of her life that she had,” said Family Friend, Dee Crumpler.
At 420 Pieces, Florida A&M Bigger, Badder and in Demand
September 12, 2008
By: Matthew Richardson
The FAMUAN
Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 is taking advantage of its 135-person increase this semester by performing at some big named events.
The band was at the Miami Dolphins’ opening game Sept. 7. They performed the Dolphins theme song and rapper Plies’ song, “Please Excuse My Hands”.
The Marching 100 has performed for other NFL teams such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Because of its reputation, the band was offered a chance to perform for the Dolphins’ season opener. Read more
Joe Bullard, The Voice of FAMU’s Marching 100, Someone you should know.
September 11, 2008
Source: WCTV.com
There aren’t many people that have the name recognition that Joe Bullard does.He’s been a fixture in the Capital City and is just one of those good guys that always makes you smile.
Joe Bullard has been doing it since 1972. His voice you know. 96.1 is the radio dial. He’s an institution in Tallahassee, although he says it’s just a presence. Even if you don’t know Joe Bullard, more than likely, you’ve at least heard of him.
“Is that you? I didn’t think you look like that. You should be older, you should have more hair. My momma talked about you, my daddy knew you,” said Bullard.
Bullard spent 15 years on the air, then went to Columbia music for 14 and back again, ruling the Tallahassee airwaves ever since. He’s met Mariah, Beyonce, Prince, you name it, they all know Joe. Especially at FAMU.
Since the dawn of time, or 1976, Joe has been the voice of the Marching 100. While he’s a presence in the community, Joe is truly an institution on campus.
GSU Band to Perform at Jacksonville Jaguars Game
September 11, 2008
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars News
On September 14, 2008, The Jaguars will host the Buffalo Bills in the team’s regular season home opener Sunday at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium with kickoff at 1:00 p.m. The pre-game festivities for the game will feature recording artist LaRue Howard performing “God Bless America” and the Parris Island Marine Band will perform the National Anthem.
For halftime entertainment, the Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band will perform. The Tiger Marching Band has performed at two Super Bowls and at the NBA All-Star game.
Prairie View Band Under Internal Investigation
September 11, 2008
Source: Black College Wire
The usually boisterous Prairie View A&M Marching Storm was silent during the halftime show at the game against Texas College Saturday. This is due to a temporary hiatus the administration and leaders within the band decided to take pending an investigation into rumors concerning the conduct of a few members of the band.
A source close to the band said that a band member allegedly reported that other members of the organization assaulted him, and administration decided to investigate. For this reason, the source said, the band was not allowed to play in last week’s game and will be unable to practice or perform until all students in the organization attend a meeting regarding student conduct hosted by the Office of Student Affairs.
