President Gerald Freeny Invites Two HBCU Marching Bands to 2019 Rose Parade

PASADENA, California -- The tournament of Roses recently announced the involvement of the Alabama State University and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University marching bands for the 2019 Rose Parade.

“When I was able to reach out to the Historically Black Colleges, it was very exciting, the opportunity to have them come and perform this year, for my year,” said Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny.

Freeny noted how he wanted diverse groups of bands to be part of the Rose Parade. He also mentioned how the HBCU marching bands would bring excitement to the parade. Seeing the marching bands can inspire young viewers, showcasing how music can be a primary option for their future.

“For them to see the drumline from Florida A&M and Alabama State, I think it’s gonna give them the energy to say ‘hey, we can play drums.’” Freeny said. “Just give kids more of a vision or give them more of an opportunity of something to think about majoring in college.”

The Florida A&M Marching 100 band director Dr. Shelby Chipman is the fourth director of the band’s history. He explained that the Marching 100 had distinct sound, thanks to long-time music arranger and music chair Lindsey Sarjeant.

“He’s been the band’s arranger since the 70’s and of course he studied with individuals not only from Florida A&M, but Florida State University as well as former arrangers in the 60’s who had been at University of Michigan,” Chipman said. “There’s a certain sound that the FAMU Band projects because of his voicing and his arranging techniques.”



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