The cadence of high-stepping marching bands

“A Cadence Unheard” documentary by Adrian Carroll and Gerard Farrow

Durham, N.C. - Students in the Southern and Hillside high schools’ marching bands rose before dawn in the swelter of summer heat. They arrived at their schools the first week in August for band camp – long days of practice, practice, practice. They were preparing – and still are preparing -- for halftime performances at football games, but also for the annual Adrian Carroll Battle of the Bands, held each October.

This year it will happen Oct. 16 at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium at N.C. Central University. It’s more than just a battle between high-stepping high school marching bands, which includes previous winner Ballou High from Washington, D.C. It’s also an exhibition of HBCU bands, including NCCU, Winston-Salem State and Howard University.



For the past year, Carroll and filmmaker Gerard Farrow of The Farrow Agency @Impression House, both based in Washington, have been documenting the work that goes into the annual battle, as well as the culture surrounding predominately black marching bands. The result, a documentary called “A Cadence Unheard,” will debut Oct. 9 on FOX50.

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