Battle of the Bands rocks the Superdome
November 29, 2008
by Gwen Filosa, The Times-Picayune
(Photo Credit | The Book)
The legendary rivalry between the Southern Jaguars and the Grambling Tigers heated up Friday night as the Battle of the Bands and Greek Step Show opened in New Orleans.
But unlike the football game, the scoreboard can’t always settle the question of which band rocks the hardest: Grambling’s Marching Tigers or Southern’s Human Jukebox.
“I think Southern took it last year,” said DJ Wild Wayne of New Orleans WQUE radio, drawing cheers and jeers from the thousands of fans from both schools that packed one half of the Louisiana Superdome Friday evening.
Fayetteville State band to play for Bronco pride
November 24, 2008
It was news that had Donald “Duck” Cooper jumping like a jackrabbit.
Cooper, a drum major with Fayetteville State University’s marching band, was at a friend’s house when the call came.
After the friend relayed the news, Cooper leapt over a heater, then a bed. He sprinted down a hallway, jumped off the porch and ran down the street, shouting: “We’re going to Honda!”
The Honda that had him so excited is the 2009 Honda Battle of the Bands. Fayetteville State’s band, known as the Marching Bronco Express, received one of 10 invitations to perform in what is considered the Super Bowl for historically black college and university marching bands.
And this is the first time FSU has been invited.
Bands battle in show like no other
November 23, 2008
ORLANDO — Legend says the ancient Scots marched into battle to the sound of Highland bagpipes within their ranks. The eerie, menacing sound of the pipes would pummel the enemy from as much as 10 miles away, instilling dread in foes long before the first clash of swords.But those Scotsmen might be quaking in their boots and kilts if they were here Saturday afternoon on the turf of the Citrus Bowl. It’s halftime at the annual Florida Classic football game, and the Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats are taking the field.
Sure, the Marching Wildcats will play a hip-hop hit — Plies’ “Who Hotter Than Me.” But the song by the Tampa rapper boasts a defiant, martial beat, propelled by the brontosaurus stomp of the ‘Cats tuba section and the Roman centurion blasts of the trumpets in the 275-member band. Read more
Tough times sack Grambling band: School notified TSU weeks ago about no-show
November 22, 2008
Houston, TX - To all those disappointed college football fans who were expecting a battle of the bands at Thursday’s game between Texas Southern University and Grambling State, Grambling sends its apology for being a no-show. Challenging financial times forced the Grambling Tiger Band to stay home, school officials said Friday. “We have to be fiscally responsible to make our dollars go as far as they can,” said Grambling spokesman Byron McCauley. “It does not mean that we don’t love Houston. I really want people to know that we’re hopeful there will be more opportunities for the band to be in Houston to perform.”
Dallas school band director accused of forcing student to have sex
November 22, 2008
A 14-year-old Dallas student has told police that her band director forced her to have sex with him inside his school office late last month, according to an arrest warrant affidavit released on Friday.
Calvin J. Beckton, 26, who works at Boude Storey Middle School, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of sexual assault of a child after the teenager said they had sex on Oct. 28, police said. Read more
Former SU Dancing Doll Kiara Ely to Perform on American Music Awards
November 19, 2008
Former Southern University Dancing Doll Kiara “Kiki” Ely will be performing on The American Music Awards, Sunday November 23, 2008, 7PM EST, On ABC, with Christina Aguilera.
Proviso East High School marching band Heads to Sugar Bowl!
November 18, 2008
The Proviso East High School marching band will be part of the New Year’s tradition in New Orleans.
The trip to the Big Easy is just one of many the talented musicians– who also excel in the classroom– have made in recent years. They have appeared in several parades across the country, as well as in Canada. Now, they’re raising money for their trip to New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl.
“It’s going to be a fun experience something new and going to take care of business and have fun,” said Jarratt Artis.
“I think it’s a great opportunity and a great experience for all the kids here,” said Linesey Jones, trumpet player.
Sixteen years ago Reginald Wright Junior took over as director, guiding the band to its current prominence.
Kentucky State band ready to battle
November 18, 2008
Source Kentucky State Journal
Photo By Kelly Mackey
American Honda Motor Company Communication Administrator Erika Braxton-White presents KSU band director Kalomo Bailey with an award after the band was chosen as one of the ten Historically Black College and University marching bands to participate in the 2009 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. KSU also received a $20,000 donation to their music program.
The Kentucky State University Marching Thoroughbreds have been chosen to compete in the seventh annual Honda Battle of the Bands on Jan. 24 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
A Honda representative was on campus Monday to present band director Kalomo Bailey with a trophy and a $20,000 donation to the university’s music department. KSU also held a pep rally to celebrate the band’s first appearance in the competition.
The band was chosen after it placed in the top 10 in online voting for the event, which showcases historically black bands from across the country.
UAPB Band Applies for Inauguration
November 15, 2008
By Erin France/THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
More than 1 million people are forecasted to attend President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration Jan. 20.
And the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South could be parading among the crowd.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s marching band submitted an application to participate in the festivities.
It’s an honor which Earnest Lamb, the chair of UAPB’s music department, said he hopes the band can achieve.
“I’m sure that this year, more than any other year, that the vetting process is particularly intensive,” he said.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee will select the marching bands and a decision likely will be made around Dec. 1, Lamb said.
Bands for the 2009 Honda Battle of the Bands Announced
November 10, 2008
(LOS ANGELES, CA - November 10, 2008) –The stage is now set for the seventh annual Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) Invitational Showcase (http://www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com) scheduled to take place Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Ten Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands have been chosen to participate in the 2009 Invitational Showcase through a combination of online voting by fans and a selection process involving HBCU band directors and university presidents.
Fine-tuning their instruments, practicing their drum major acrobatics and choreographing the dance team’s routines all in preparation to “stomp at the Dome,” the 2009 lineup includes:
Read more
