16 Shaw High School members of marching band sign letters of intent to attend college
May 31, 2011
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio - Although 16 graduating members of the Shaw High School marching band in East Cleveland did not have their musical instruments in their hands, there was music in where they all sat facing their parents and other supporters.
The students all signed “letters of intent” to attend colleges or universities. The East Cleveland School System makes a special program of the letter signings for its members of the high school marching band.
“Thirty percent of what we do is music,” said Donshon Wilson, the band director. “However, the other 70 percent is academics.”
The students sat shoulder-to-shoulder at long tables as their parents and other supporters beamed smiles across a room, where marching band trophies glittered under the daylight streaming through the windows. Some parents cried with happiness for the graduating seniors.
“Mr. Wilson made him realize that you start being serious,” said Sheila Scruggs, describing how music helped her son find a stronger place in life. “Mr. Wilson taught him to be a leader, not a follower.”
The Shaw High School marching band has had a storied last few years. In 2008, the band was invited to perform in China. For many of the students, who had never left Ohio before, to perform in China was historic in every way. A television producer, Tom Jacobs, accompanied the students on their trip and documented their time there. The program aired on PBS television stations.
“When I joined the marching band, I found out about the HBCU’s (historically black colleges and universities),” Roy Tripp said. He listed several other colleges or universities with a smile. “All this came from me being a part of the marching band,” he said.
The institutions the students agreed to attend were Central State, Alabama State, Kent State, Bowling Green and Youngstown State Universities. Also on the list were Florida A&M, Wilberforce, Howard University, Cuyahoga Community College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of Toledo.
As the students signed their letters of intent to attend several colleges or universities, parents snapped photographs, documenting the day. All credited Wilson with inspiring the students beyond music.
Alcorn State University Names JSU Sonic Boom’s Renardo Murray as New Marching Band Director
May 31, 2011
Via Alcorn.edu News
ALCORN STATE, MS (May 31, 2011) – Alcorn State University’s new Director of University Bands Samuel Griffin introduced the institution’s new Marching Band director, Renardo R. Murray at a 10 a.m. press conference today on the Lorman campus.
“It is a tremendous honor and pleasure to introduce my former band student as the new Marching and Pep Band director,” stated a proud Samuel Griffin. “He was a talented student and is a skillful musician and director. I am proud to welcome him back home.”
An accomplished band director and music educator, Dr. Murray holds an outstanding track record in assuring student success both musically and academically. He has an extensive background of developing, operating, and maintaining quality band programs. Dr. Murray has been serving Jackson State University first as assistant band director from 2004 to 2009, and then as interim director of bands/instructor of music since 2009. He has also served as band director at the secondary education level: for Yazoo City High School, Yazoo City, Mississippi; Blackburn Middle School, Jackson, Mississippi; Clinton High School, Clinton, Louisiana; and as assistant band director for Wilkinson County High School, Woodville, Mississippi.
3rd Bi-Annual Bayou Blowout Battle of The Bands
May 29, 2011
Check out ClarenceGibson.com for More Information
Alcorn President Brown promotes Samuel Griffin, announces new University Band structure
May 26, 2011
by Alcorn State University on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 1:24pm.
Alcorn State University announces the promotion of Samuel Griffin, founder of the “Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite” Marching Band and current Director of Marching Bands (a position he has held since 1969), to Director of University Bands. In his new capacity, Griffin will oversee all of the University’s bands including the Marching, Concert, Jazz, Pep, Symphonic Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Woodwind Ensemble.
The University will also announce the new University Marching Band director at a press conference on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 10:00 am in the Gold Room of the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Hall on the Lorman Campus.
Griffin has led the search process for the selection of a new marching band director since May 1. “I’m honored to be a part of another momentous occasion in the history of Alcorn State University,” says Griffin. “The University and I have been committed to this process and look forward to taking the program to new levels of contribution and achievements.”
