Morgan State Alumnus Ray Washington Jr., Makes Inspiring Impact on Hometown Community with Pint-Sized Marching Band

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The school has the only elementary school marching band in the State of Maryland.  

CAMBRIDGE, Maryland -- Drum lines and marching bands are deeply ingrained in the culture of America's historically black colleges and universities.

In elementary schools? Not so much.

But on a recent Wednesday afternoon, around 45 fourth and fifth-graders at Maple Elementary School in Cambridge stood in formation, awaiting their cue to begin. "Band!" yelled drum major Hallmark Pinanzu, 10, with a baton in hand. "One, two, ATTENTION!""M-E-S!" the children called. Hallmark blew his whistle.

"Up, two, three, four!"

The band began to march and drum. Flags, glistening green, silver and black began to wave.



The Marching Lions have been making waves, here and across the country. They've appeared on local TV stations and on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Oct. 13. They performed at a high school pep rally earlier this month and in a parade at Morgan State University's homecoming. They performed last weekend during a football game at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School and in the Elks Lodge Parade in Cambridge.

The band has a profound impact on the pupils, say those involved with the school, where 87 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

"It's given kids that wouldn't have a focus, a focus," said Principal Patricia Prosser. "I don't think it would have been possible without the success of the drumline."

It's all sprung from Ray Washington Jr., who founded the marching band. As a Morgan State student, he performed for four years in the drumline of the university's Magnificent Marching Machine. He moved back to his hometown in 2015 in search of temporary work but instead landed a full-time position that has changed pupils' outlooks on what they could achieve.

"Drumline was life," said Washington, 32. "I didn't know band could be like that."



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