Tuskegee Marching Band Refused to Yield

The Commissioner of the SIAC, Gregory Moore and SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp needs to take immediate action to prevent this type of situation from happening again.

Based on the story published today by the Montgomery Advertiser, (if you want to believe everything the main stream press writes about HBCUs), Tuskegee is "alleged" to have performed beyond their scheduled time in the Turkey Day Classic. I said "alleged" because there are two sides to every coin and we haven't received the Tuskegee version.

However, Alabama State Marching Hornets Drum Majors may have been equally as wrong to march onto the field and create a possible confrontational situation -- especially with fans emotionally charged with the homecoming spirit(s) and verbally involved.

What makes this incident bad was the halftime show and game was being broadcast nationally by ESPNU. When it happens twice in a football season, i.e., Kentucky State band did the same thing at Morehouse earlier this year -- its a problem that needs to be fixed!

Mr. Warren L. Duncan, Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Pipers Band and Dr. James B. Oliver, Alabama State University Marching Hornets Band are exceptionally talented leaders and band directors. This may have been nothing more than a lapse in communications, but it should not happen. You would think after 97 years of football competition, "ASU vs. TU", the bands would have gotten their timing down pat for the half-time shows.

Please, let us get the timing of half-time shows fixed -- Tuskegee, Alabama State, Kentucky State, Morehouse and Florida A&M.

Fans, there are no acceptable excuses for booing the band members! The students work very hard to prepare these shows, memorize the music and dance routines to perfection. Generally, more than 40-60 hours of rehearsal time goes into a 10-12 minute half-time show. That's a full-time JOB in addition to the academic workload carried by these outstanding musicians!

Shame on ESPNU!

(beepbeep)

Now, the story from Montgomery Advertiser.com

The Tuskegee band wasn't finished with its halftime show when its allotted time ran out, causing an intriguing confrontation with the Alabama State band in the middle of the field.

The halftime show of the Turkey Day Classic was originally scheduled for 24 minutes, leaving each team 12 minutes, but ESPN officials notified each school just prior to kickoff that the halftime show would be changed to 20 minutes, forcing the Golden Tiger band to leave the field at the 10-minute mark.

The band continued playing past...

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Top Five Marching Band Performances of 2010 Football Season

If you have been following HBCU football the past two weeks, you should appreciate the efforts and high energy put forth by our Marching Bands at the season openers and the Sprite Queen City Battle of the Bands, Charlotte, N.C.

Without a doubt, Florida A&M University Marching 100, North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine, Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets, Howard University Showtime Marching Band and Miles College Purple Marching Machine have presented the most extraordinary and compelling band performances. Check out each of the high definition/digital surround sound video clips posted below for your own assessment.

The late Dr. William P. Foster probably would be tremendously proud of their creativity, musicianship, showmanship and the precision marching of these fine five top marching bands.

No question, the arrangement of the "Bed Intruder Song" and played by the Aggies Blue and Gold Marching Machine at a band rehearsal is at the top of the "YouTube" chart with over 495,160 views within two weeks of posting. Dancers Golden Delight and the Marching Machine lower brasswinds sections are in a zone-- you guys are thumping that bass line and counter melody to the max.

You also have to give it to North Carolina A&T--their musical sound is crystal clear with all parts blending beautifully and balanced--like the sound of experience, the FAMU Marching 100.

If you love that brassy SWAC sound, then Alabama State definitely has the best musicians that tend to play under control and with great intonation and balance. The ASU Stingettes and NCA&T Golden Delight were by far the best dancing troupes for the first game. ASU needs more creativity and complexity in their band field shows to move to the top of the list.

You may not agree, but that's alright too.

Now do not get an attitude against the Blog...we enjoyed Norfolk State Spartans Legion, Southern University Marching Human Jukebox, Jackson State Sonic Boom, and Shaw University Platinum Sound shows--but, they did not make the Top Five cut this week.

But, if you think my assessments are wrong, send us a HD video clip of who you think should be in the Top Five Bands and I will post your clips on the Blog and let the informed fans decide.

Our Top Five for the first two weeks of the season: #1 FAMU; #2 North Carolina A&T; #3 Alabama State; #4 Howard; and #5 Miles College.

Check back often and see who cracks the Top Five---who goes and who will stay at the top of the marching band mountain this 2010 football season.

-beepbeep