2,200 Strong – 10 of America’s Top HBCU Marching Bands Harness the ‘Power of Dreams’ At the 2009 Honda Battle of the Bands
January 25, 2009
As the curtain dramatically closed on the seventh annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, 10 of America’s top Historically Black College and University [HBCU] marching bands brought the house down, leaving themselves completely spent of energy, but their souls fulfilled. They brought their all, but left every bit of it on the field of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, as the widely acknowledged “Super Bowl of Black College Marching Bands” concluded.
The 2009 Invitational Showcase, aptly themed “The Power of Dreams,” had special significance as the nation inaugurated its first African-American president. With one renowned HBOB band—the Florida A&M University “Marching 100”—just returning from having marched in the presidential inauguration parade in Washington, D.C., this year has already proven a dream come true for many HBCU student musicians.
Bethune-Cookman marching band headed for Super Bowl!
January 23, 2009
The Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats will perform at Super Bowl XLIII.
The band will take the field during the pre-game show Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Marching Wildcats will perform eight to 10 songs at approximately 6 p.m., with kickoff set for 6:28 p.m.
“For a marching band, there’s no bigger stage to play on than the Super Bowl playing field,” B-CU band director Donovan Wells said. “We’re working hard to put on a great show for all the fans.”
The band has 320 musicians, not counting members of the Sophisticat Flag Corps and the 14KT Gold Dancers.
The Marching Wildcats have performed at halftime shows for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at the pre-race show of the Daytona 500 and on “The Ellen Degeneres Show.”
FAMU Marching 100 Disappointed Over Not Dancing in Front of Obama
January 23, 2009
As the Marching 100 made its presence known down Pennsylvania Avenue, there were the many spectators….and of course, the president.
But one thing was missing.
FAMU Drum Player Dante Martin says, “We were originally supposed to stop for President Obama and do like a dance routine salute for him.”
But Senator Ted Kennedy’s seizure caused a delay in the parade, so once the parade finally began, it had to be rushed, meaning there was no time to stop and dance.
FAMU Saxophone Player Joshua Green says, “I was a little disappointed, I mean we practiced on it day after day after day, and it was freezing and my fingers almost fell off.” Read more
Saxophone Titan David “Fathead” Newman Dies
January 23, 2009
David “Fathead Newman
1933-2009
Versatile Reed Man Played with a Who’s Who of Jazz, Blues
Tenor saxophone giant David ‘Fathead’ Newman has succumbed to pancreatic cancer on Tuesday in Kingston, NY. He was 75.
Newman was a key member of Ray Charles’ band for a dozen years and can be heard on many of Charles’ hits, including “I Got a Woman,” “What’d I Say” and “Lonely Avenue.” He was also a high-profile session player.
Born in Texas on February 24, 1933, Newman grew up in Dallas, where he first studied piano before taking up the saxophone. He earned the name “Fathead” from his high school band teacher because he stubbornly refused to learn to read music, preferring to play by ear.
He attended Jarvis Christian College on a scholarship but after three years he returned to music, playing mostly jazz and blues with musicians including Buster Smith, Lloyd Glenn, Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker. Read more
Ex-band director had yearlong relationship with student
January 22, 2009
Source: Shreveport Times
A former Huntington High band director who faces a molestation charge had a relationship with one of his 16-year-old students from January 2008 until the two were caught Christmas Eve parked on a dead-end street in Greenwood, according to Shreveport police.
Authorities used the teen’s statements and other evidence to tell untold secrets of Brandon Bates and the student, who was 15 at the time the relationship began. Police determined the two engaged in sexual acts at several locations throughout Shreveport, including the school campus and Bates’ residence in the 6500 block of Tierra Circle, police said. Read more
Howard University Marching Showtime Band Thrilled About Participation in Inaugural Parade
January 21, 2009
A record-breaking 1,400 marching bands from around the nation applied to perform at Tuesday’s Presidential inaugural parade. Among the more than 80 bands selected is Howard University’s “Show Time” marching band. The band, which represents one of the most prestigious African-American universities, is known for its theatrical choreography and flashy style.
John Newson has been waiting anxiously by the phone since early December. He is the music director of Howard University’s “Show time” marching band. “After the election we went through the process of submitting our application,” he explained. “The only thing I could do was hope and pray we get selected.”
A week before Christmas, he received the call.
UAPB marching band lives ‘dream’
January 21, 2009
by
UAPB band director John Graham said taking part in Tuesday’s parade was “like a dream.” The 250-member Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South overcame the cold at the staging area, and the band’s performance generated some recognition.
“It was 27 degrees and our feet were numb. We had to wait so long to start, I was afraid the students would be frustrated so we started marching in place and playing. When he heard us, the director of the Air Force band came over and told us we were really good, and the University of Tennessee complimented us, too. After that, the students were good to go and they looked amazing,” Graham said Tuesday.
Marching band highlights African-Americans’ progress at inauguration
January 21, 2009
Dunbar High School was The US’ first purpose-built high school for African-American students, and its marching band was chosen to represent Washington at the inauguration parade.
The students were nervous and excited, but after months of practise they performed perfectly as they marched directly past Barack Obama and his family.
For many, their performance was a highlight of the parade – barring the new president’s appearance, of course.
http://www.3news.co.nz
GSU Band In USA TODAY
January 21, 2009
WASHINGTON — After more than 50 hours of travel, logging 1,132 miles on four buses, 201 members of the famed, high-stepping Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band played the gig of a lifetime Tuesday.
The band, which hails from a historically black college in northern Louisiana, was one of 94 groups to play in Barack Obama’s Inaugural Parade on Tuesday.
Full Article @ USATODAY
Harding High Leaving To D.C Today!
January 19, 2009
Harding University High School’s Marching band of Gold boarded buses just before 2:30 a.m. The group is also the only band in North Carolina that will play at the ceremony.The group worked for weeks to raise more than $50,000 for the trip.Two buses were needed, one carrying students and another with parents. A total of 108 students are participating.Before it left, the group thanked the media and the community for its support.
