Battle of the Bands: South Carolina State Marching 101 vs. Florida A&M Marching 100

Blown Away: NSU Spartan Legion gives B-CU a music lesson in Crunkology 101

Norfolk, Virginia (Oct.20, 2011) -- Tonight, the great Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats Band received a valuable lesson in Crunkology 101, from the Spartan Legion Marching Band of Norfolk State University.

The backdrop from this entertaining clash of band pageantry, magnificent musicianship, showmanship, originality, and marching supremacy was the nationally televised football game between the MEAC leading Norfolk Spartans and the B-CU Wildcats. Too bad ESPNU hasn't learned that Thursday night HBCU TV football fans don't give a darn about Sports Center at half-time. Students and parents want to see the marching band battle....PERIOD.

Great credit is given to Bethune-Cookman University for busing the 400+ Wildcats band from Daytona Beach to Norfolk, a distance of 1418 miles round-trip and 24 total hours travel time away from school and classes on Wednesday and Friday.

No doubt, B-CU performance was good and very entertaining!

Norfolk State gave the Wildcats a valuable lesson in crunkology, showmanship and superior marching. The Spartan Legion marches under 260, but the superior musicianship, crystal clear melody and counter-melody lines from the woodwinds, upper and lower brass were superb in Thursday's performance. Much credit has to be given to NSU band directors and arrangers who fresh perspectives in music of mixing funk, hip-hop and crunk, gives the Spartan Legion a powerful sound, that punctuates every movement of the band with a rhythmic bass and drum line that we all enjoy.

Bethune is good -- but not great due to its lack of originality. The Wildcats marching style is ordinary, the drum major movements are a total copy-cat of FAMU, Jackson State Sonic Boom and UAPB M4 Bands. What the Wildcats need is many more lessons is crunkology and a total makeover in marching style.

More importantly, B-CU announcer is a total irritation and negatively impacts the band performance in their simple dance routines. What is needed here is less talking over the band and more creative, rhythmic, and slick choreography for the dance routines. No originality in this phase of the performance.

Is anyone able to pop a 90 degree knee lift in the B-CU Wildcats band? Look at Norfolk State --That's how you march with precision --popping 90's.

Close your eyes and listen to the Marching Wildcats -- there is nothing unique in their musical style and sound that gives them a "signature," other than "Let's go Wildcats."

A world-class collegiate marching band is more than a fight song!

Thursday night -- Norfolk State University approached "world-class" and originality won hands down in all phases of the contest. Behold - The Green and Gold !!!

Winner: Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band.

(beepbeep)

Norfolk State - Bethune-Cookman to play in prime time

Norfolk, Virginia -- Norfolk State didn't have much time to celebrate last weekend's 34-24 win over Hampton in the annual Battle of the Bay or the program's first FCS ranking (No. 25) since 2007.

The Spartans (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) meet visiting Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 1-2) on Thursday night at 7:30 in a game that will be televised by ESPNU. With the condensed week, NSU coach Pete Adrian said he began preparations Saturday night, shortly after the win over HU.

"It does make it very interesting, and for some extremely long hours," he said. "But that's what you've got to do." The Spartans haven't been ranked since a two-week stay in the poll four years ago.

"It's nice to see one of our conference teams get some national recognition, but it really doesn't mean a whole lot," Adrian said of the ranking. "You've got to just keep on playing and trying to win. If you keep winning, it will take care of itself."

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Spartans, 'Cats still rivals

Daytona Beach, Florida -- If you want to know what's become of the recent Norfolk State-Bethune-Cookman rivalry, listen to Wildcats second-year coach Brian Jenkins' appraisal of the Spartans' program. "Norfolk State has always been a good football team," Jenkins said. "They were a good football team last year, and they're a good football team this year."

And that's just it. Jenkins' history with Norfolk State goes back just two years. His Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) will try to hand the Spartans (6-1, 4-0) their first conference loss of the season Thursday night in Norfolk, Va., in a game nationally televised by ESPNU.

Norfolk State has not always been a good football team. When head coach Pete Adrian arrived in 2005, the Spartans were coming off two successive one-win seasons. Just two years later, Adrian's team finished 8-3 and came within one game (an overtime loss to eventual champ Delaware State) of winning its first MEAC title.

Adrian again has the Spartans in position to win the conference. So there's plenty of incentive for Norfolk State to be fired up Thursday night when it meets the high-scoring Wildcats. But just a couple of years ago, just the mention of the other school would fire up the teams.

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GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
INTERNET: ESPN3

Wildcats' game against Miami to net Bethune-Cookman $400,000

B-CU at Miami
KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. today
SITE; Sun Life Stadium
TV: ESPNU
RADIO: WELE (1380-AM)

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rivals have been scooping cash from the well-stocked Division I Football Bowl Subdivision vault for years.

The Wildcats will join the party today. B-CU will visit Miami at 3:30 p.m. in the Wildcats' first "guarantee" football game. The game will be televised live by ESPNU.

B-CU (2-1) is guaranteed a payday of slightly more than $400,000 to travel to South Florida, athletic director Lynn Thompson said. Thompson, though, hopes the Wildcats' players stay injury-free and don't get demoralized.

The Hurricanes (1-2), on the other hand, are pretty much guaranteed a victory. While Football Championship Subdivision teams are winning more and more games against FBS teams since Appalachian State's stunning upset of No. 5 Michigan in 2007, an MEAC team has yet to upend one of the big boys.








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B-CU sets beat for Monday Night Football

DAYTONA BEACH -- Are you ready for some national exposure? ESPN's rowdy friends from Bethune-Cookman are.

The university's Marching Wildcats drumline, already familiar with the sports network's spotlight, is slated to open the 2011 season of Monday Night Football tomorrow evening with a thumping, swaggering montage that shook the school's band building Saturday.

"Believe me, the kids don't take it lightly," the band's director, Donovan Wells, said outside. "You don't turn down these opportunities."

The ESPN crew spent more than four hours working Saturday morning, and was considering coming back to film more after the band's regular football show Saturday afternoon. The package still has to be edited and mixed in time for Week 1's 7 p.m. matchup between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.





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2011 Battle of Bands -- Chicago Classic: AAMU vs. Hampton

When America Thinks of Marching Bands...

Black History Month: The Battle Continues... Rattlers and Wildcats!

2011 Honda Battle of the Band Performances

Eight HBCU Bands, Bow Wow Perform at 9th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands

Atlanta, Ga. - The ninth annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase delivered on its promise to bring the ultimate party with a purpose to the people, offering a little something for everyone – from “Hip-Hop’s very own “Bow Wow” in live performance, to spirited marching band renditions of the latest chart-topping soul, R&B and Hip-Hop hits. Atlanta’s WVEE Radio evening drive-time host, Ryan Cameron, introduced the bands, while “Bow Wow” treated fans to a special performance of “Ain’t Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” from his new album, Underrated.

2011 Invitational Showcase, themed “Hollywood Lights,” featured a mass band performance medley of music in film, as nearly 60,000 HBCU friends, fans, students and alumni from all parts of the country made their annual pilgrimage to support their favorite bands.


Videographer: MarchingsportHD

This year’s Showcase bands included: Albany State University, Bethune Cookman University, Clark Atlanta University, Jackson State University, South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University.


Videographer: Ram2010Pride

The Honda Battle of the Bands not only showcases the pageantry and showmanship of HBCU bands, but also and more importantly, acts as the nation’s only HBCU music scholarship program of its kind. The eight bands selected to participate in the Invitational Showcase were awarded $20,000 each for their music scholarship programs, plus an additional $1,000 grant for their participation in the Celebration Tour, the Honda Battle of the Bands’ pre-qualifying event. In all, a total of $205,000 in scholarship money was given to HBCU music programs this year.













Credits:
1. Bethune-Cookman University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
2. Jackson State University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
2b.Jackson State University, Videographer; Jarquavius101
3. South Carolina State University, Videographer: MarchingsportsHD
4. Tennessee State University, Videographer: doublea198505
5. Albany State University (Ga.), Videographer: JGASU08
6. Winston Salem State University, Videographer; doublea198505
7. Clark-Atlanta University, Videographer; doublea198505
8. Virginia State University, Videographer; doublea 198505
9. Mass Band Closing, Videographer; SoSouthernTV
10.Intro...Honda Battle Of The Bands 2011 featuring DJ Baby Yu, Ryan Cameron & Bow Wow; Videographer: djbabyyu

RELATED LINK: The 9th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands

Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: Marching 101 to compete Jan. 29 in Atlanta

South Carolina State University's Marching 101 has joined the ranks of the top eight Historically Black College and University marching bands selected to perform at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

Other bands participating in the showcase, set for Jan. 29 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, are Virginia State University's Marching Trojan Explosion, Albany State University's Marching Rams Show Band, Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South, Bethune Cookman University's Marching Wildcats, Clark Atlanta University's Mighty Marching Panthers, Winston-Salem State University's Red Sea of Sound and Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands.

Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

More than 60,000 fans will flock through the gates of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on January 29th, 2011 to witness the 9th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, an unparalleled performance and celebration of the nation’s elite marching bands. Renowned Hip-Hop performer and actor “Bow Wow” will join more than 1,800 student musicians and one of Atlanta’s best amateur vocalists to celebrate the music and creativity found at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

FAMU's Marching 100 won't defend Honda Battle of the Bands title in Atlanta

Has the Marching 100 lost its mojo?  The Marching 100, Florida A&M University's famed marching band, will not be defending its title later this month in the annual Honda Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Marching 100, winners of the event last year, didn't receive enough votes to qualify as 2011 finalists.

The voting process is broken down among fans, band directors and university presidents, said Erika Braxton-White, a spokeswoman for Honda. Each band director and university president gets one vote for any band except their own.

"We didn't campaign to participate," said Julian White, Marching 100 band director. He noted that the band wanted to focus this semester primarily on concert band performances.

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A throwback page from FAMU Marching 100 history -- the Hundred' greatest hits!

Sixty-five years is a long time to be a dynasty in the music field, and without a doubt, Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band has been more than that and some more.

In the Spring of 1989, the Marching 100 was invited to represent the United States in the French Bicentennial Bastille Day Parade in Paris (Bicentennial of the French Revolution) by Artistic Director Jean Paul Goude.  The FAMU Marching 100 was the sole band from the U.S. invited.

Mr. Goude specifically requested that the Marching 100 play a medley of James Brown music, the Godfather of Soul.  Within this window before the world, Jean Paul Goude wanted the French people and the world to be exposed to Black Music, music based on African rhythms and riffs.  The band had made a lasting impression on Goude ten years earlier, while he lived in New York, and he had seen the Florida A&M band playing at the Super Bowl or some other game at the Orange Bowl. He thought the band was extraordinary and needless to say, it left a lifetime impression on him.

The legendary Dr. William P. Foster stated, "this was a tribute to black music."

The parade was basically about the rights of man, first--representing all countries with a touch of African music. There was an under theme--World Music and world music is based on African music and rhythms.  The Bastille Day Parade would be a global showcase of the impact of African music on the world.

James Brown "influenced pop music like no one had  before and he deserved recognition," said Goude. Folks had made careers off of one riff of James Brown music and he was the "Godfather of Soul" in American music.

Goude, in a documentary explaining why the FAMU Marching 100 was chosen, stated, "Afro-American music is the music that makes the planet dance."  "Florida A&M University Marching 100 does it better than anyone else in the World."












The brilliant music arranger and composer, Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Assistant Director of Bands, Arranger made the rare transition in 1972 from recent graduate from FAMU (1971) to assistant university music arranger and composer under Mr. Richard Powell, a white guy from Puget Sound, Washington.  Powell was a truly gifted arranger that was a somewhat music pioneer in arranging wonderful black pop music of the day (late 60's -70's era) for the Marching 100. He was also an excellent music composition instructor.

Mr. Sarjeant has been  responsible for the powerful and dynamic, artistic sounds of the internationally famous Florida A&M University Marching 100 for nearly 40 years.  He is an Associate professor at Florida A&M University and serves as Director of Jazz Studies, director of jazz ensembles and arranger for the famous Marching “100” Band, symphonic Band and jazz ensemble. He is a brilliant jazz pianist, composer, jazz lecturer, jazz historian, adjudicator and jazz keyboard clinician.

Video number 9 and 10 are very rare--back in the day with black and white television and video cameras. Studying the Marching 100 performances from 1946 to 2011 is a doctoral thesis in our social, political and economic evolution and black pop music culture.  Like the Godfather of Soul revolutionized pop/soul music to the masses, so did the Marching 100 on the American and World stage.

(beepbeep)

Credits:
1. Videographer: BAGHDAD11B, "JAMES BROWN RIFFS" PART 1: FAMU HOMECOMING 08'
2. Videographer: BAGHDAD11B, "JAMES BROWN RIFFS" PART 2: FAMU HOMECOMING 08'
3. Videographer: TAPEMASTER28, FAMU 1989 Band "Spend The Night"
4. Videographer: FAMU 1996 "Knocks Me Off My Feet"
5. Videographer: hhorns2002, "FAMU 2008 Segment on "CBS Evening News"
6. Videographer: ImmaaBeGaga, "FAMU 2007 Super Bowl performance with PRINCE
7. Videographer: TAPEMASTER28,"Never Would Have Made It 2008 (ATL Classic)" with Minister Genleah "Star" Crawford, former FAMU Marching 100 Trombonist.
8. Videographer: bayshawn, "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral, 2007"
9. Videographer: hhorns2002, FAMU Marching 100, "Tribute to Paris" Halftime Show 1989 -- in Paris, France
10. Videographer: TAPEMASTER28, FAMU Marching 100 "Congratulations" - 1989

NCCU band's big moment had some hurdles

PASADENA, Cal. -- N.C. Central University's Marching Sound Machine had to overcome funding problems, sieges of bad weather and even fear of flying to complete its long-standing goal: marching in Saturday's 122nd Rose Parade.

Thousands of roadside spectators cheered on the Marching Sound Machine as they played Michael Jackson's "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" while executing some of Jackson's most famous dance moves - the moonwalk and anti-gravity lean.

"I never imagined how many people would be there," said Letitia Harris, a junior trombone player. "I can't even think right now; I'm just trying to catch my breath."


Videographer: Music 213

Sound Machine 'brings it'

PASADENA, Calif. -- The N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine's debut at the Rose Parade on Saturday was a success. The tricky 110-degree turn onto Colorado Boulevard? Flawless. The moon-walking dance moves? Smooth as silk. The response of the crowd? Almost louder than the band's drum line.

"It went very, very well," said Brian Henry, tuba player and senior in mass communication at NCCU. "The turn was very easy. Everybody did an excellent job. It was awesome!"

NCCU plays Disney

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- For members of the N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine band, Tuesday was their longest day -- it began with packing up in Durham at 2 a.m. and ended 22 hours later in California with the receipt of their new uniforms.

The new costumes arrived at the hotel just in time for their first performance at Disneyland on Wednesday. The design is the same as that developed in 2003, but the band members appreciated having bright new uniforms for their Tournament of Roses Parade performance on New Year's Day in Pasadena.


Videographer: Music 213 -  NCCU Marching Sound Machine performance @ Pasadena Bandfest, Part 1.

NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band honors FAMU's late Dr. William P. Foster

The North Carolina Central University Marching Sound  Machine Band honored the late Dr. William P. Foster at the December 30, 2010, Bandfest in Pasadena, California. The band played a tribute to Dr. Foster, performing Michael Jackson's Bird Song.  Dr. Foster was the "dean and innovator of American university marching bands."

The NCCU band has been greatly influenced by the legendary musical and marching innovations of Dr. Foster through their director, Mr. Jorim E. Reid.  Mr Reid is a positive example of the many fine musicians that have fully developed, enhanced and perfected their craft and musicianship under the late Dr.William P. Foster's leadership at Florida A&M University.

Mr. Reid, a former FAMU Marching 100 drum major, oboe player, piano major, student music arranger for the famous Marching 100 Band, and conductor extraordinaire, is creating his own legacy and influence on student- musicians throughout North Carolina and the World.

Take a listen to the superb musicianship, showmanship, symphonic arrangements and marching precision of the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band on part 2 of the Pasadena, California Bandfest performance. Eagle Pride - Amplified!


Videographer: Music 213 - NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band, Part 2.

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North Carolina Central Marching Sound Machine debut at 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade and at Disneyland

2011 Rose Bowl Parade- Part 1 Bands included in this video: Southwest Dekalb High School Marching Panther Band (Decatur, Ga.), North Japan Green Marching Band, North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band. Professor Jorim E. Reid - NCCU Director of Bands.

By Videographer: TheOProductions1907


Videographer: Music213 (Live Stand View)


Videographer: SFVCyclone


Videographer: MrTJ85
NCCU Marching Sound Machine Performance at Disneyland, California

Videographer: aespejo104
NCCU Marching South Maching at the 2011 Bandfest in Pasadena, CA

Videographer: TheCyberTraveler

Videographer: Music213

Jorim E. Reid

NCCU Director of Bands

Professor Jorim Edgar Reid graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where he was a student of the renowned bandmaster, Kenneth Rudolph Tolbert.

He then graduated from Florida A&M University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in music education (1999) with piano as his major instrument. There he privately studied arranging, composition, and film scoring with Professor Lindsey B. Sarjeant and Dr. Marty Robinson. Reid served the band program as principal oboist for wind ensemble and symphonic bands and head drum major, saxophone, and student arranger for marching band.

He later received his masters degree in music education (2000) from the Florida State University School of Music with oboe as his major instrument. There he studied arranging and composition under Professor Brian Gaber and Professor Bill Peterson. Jorim is currently studying for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Boston University (2009, DMA). Reid is on faculty of music department and serves as director of bands at North Carolina Central University. He is also advisor to Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Mr. James O. Seda

Director of Bands

Southwest Dekalb High School, Decatur, Georgia

James O. Seda is currently the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School. He is a product of the Atlanta Public School System, having graduated from Southside Comprehensive High School. Mr. Seda received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University. While there, he studied conducting with Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. He was also in the trumpet studio of Dr. Marty Robinson. Mr. Seda is currently enrolled in the Masters of Music Education Program at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois.

Mr. Seda has been the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School since 2001. Prior to that he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Chapel Hill Middle School for two years, the primary feeder school to Southwest Dekalb High School, also assisting with the band program at Southwest Dekalb simultaneously. Mr. Seda is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, The International Trumpet Guild, Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Screen Actor's Guild and MACE. Mr. Seda was The STAR Teacher for Southwest Dekalb High School in 2005-2006 and has been recognized and honored by Who's Who Among America's Teachers multiple times.

While attending Florida A&M University, Mr. Seda was a very active musician. He held the principal trumpet chair in the FAMU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and the lead trumpet chair in the FAMU Jazz Ensemble. As a member of the world famous 'Marching 100' Mr. Seda served as trumpet section leader for two years, as well as being elected business manager, vice-president, and president in consecutive years.

Mr. Seda has performed in Paris, France, The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland and the North Seas Jazz Festival in The Haag, Holland. He has also performed in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Television and radio features are also to his credit as CNN displayed his talents in a television documentary on the life of jazz musician Jesse Stone. He has done studio sessions for television and radio commercials, as well as short films and movies. Mr. Seda also worked on the 20th Century Fox motion picture DRUMLINE as a music arranger, band organizer, instrumentalist, and actor extra.

The Southwest Dekalb High School highly acclaimed marching band is 230+ musicians and is performing in its second Tournament of Roses Parade (2006, 2011).

Mr. Seda's and Southwest Dekalb Marching Panther Band assistant directors of bands are: Mr. Steven L. Cooper (West Palm Beach, FL), Florida A&M University; Mr. Demetrius Hubert (Atlanta, GA) - Director of Percussion, Florida A&M University; Mr. Byron Ellie Jackson (Decatur, GA), Staff Assistant/ Director of Drum Majors, Florida A&M University; and Ms. Stasha Dion Ogletree (Atlanta, GA), Dancing Diva Director/Choreographer, Albany State University.

NSU band entertains football fans

The Legion: beat of a different drum

NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State University band has had a strong following in the stands on Saturdays during football season. Suited for Saturday war games, a wave of Spartans defended a piece of territory called Norfolk State.

The football team sweeps the gridiron with punishing precision. Observing enemy weakness, citizens of Dick Price Stadium welcome conquest. But among the cheers for the action on the field, is an infectious love of rhythm and music, a marching band that is called the Legion.

NSU's marching band is an army of 250 who play it fast and loose. "Here at Norfolk State, if this band is not right our fans will have a fit! They would have a fit, " said an NSU fan.


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Honda Battle of the Bands Unveils 2011 Invitational Showcase Line-Up

Top Historically Black College and University Marching Bands From Around the Nation Prepare to Take the Field at Ninth Annual Showcase

Torrance, Calif. – Today, the journey of 45 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Marching Bands has reached its destination. It all began in late summer when these HBCUs took that first high step and that first rehearsal where increasingly challenging drills and compositions were tested to develop the most dynamic, spirited halftime performances of the fall season. Notoriety is earned today by the following top eight HBCU marching bands selected to perform at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:


Videographer: AkeemC998 (Clark Atlanta University Mighty Marching Panthers Band, Oct. 30, 2010)

Virginia State University “Marching Trojan Explosion” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
South Carolina State University “Marching 101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University “Sonic Boom of the South” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands” (Independent)


Videographer: Cassfl (Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands at Jacksonville State University, Alabama, Oct. 16, 2010)

The 2,000 student-musicians that make up these bands have staked their claims to being among the elite in the country and will take the stage to prove their mettle on January 29th at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Each band will have the opportunity to perform for 12 minutes and showcase their musical skills, dancing talents and creativity. This year’s showcase features first-time South Carolina State University as well as eight-time participant Virginia State University. Band sizes range from the small but powerful 120-member ensemble of Clark Atlanta University, to the 300-member goliath of Bethune Cookman.

Marking its ninth year, the Honda Battle of the Bands is the only national scholarship program that highlights music education as an important facet of HBCU heritage and culture. The eight winning band programs chosen to participate in this year’s Invitational Showcase will be awarded $20,000 by American Honda for their music programs, in addition to the $1,000 grant they received for participation in the pre-qualifying Celebration Tour. Through this program, American Honda annually awards a total of $205,000 in scholarships to HBCU music programs. Since the program’s inception, an excess of $1 million in grant money has been bestowed to black colleges.


Videographer: JSUTigers1877 (Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band, Half-Time Show at 2010 Southern Heritage Classic, Memphis, TN).

“The Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase is about more than what happens on the field at the Georgia Dome on show day,” said Marc Burt, Senior Manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. “This event is about celebrating the abilities and brilliance of young people coming out of the nation’s black colleges. The discipline and drive these student-musicians exhibit both on and off the field are phenomenal, and Honda is pleased to be able to contribute to the music education programs that help foster the artistic and academic growth of these students.”

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2010 Florida Classic: FAMU Marching 100 Puts on a Clinic for B-CU Wildcats

Videographer: delsalvio (BCU -Field Level View)

Videographer: andremc69 (FAMU - Field Level View)

Videographer: tooslytoo (FAMU's Entire Half-Time Show - From Upper Deck)

Norfolk State Spartan Legion vs. Hampton Marching Force (10/16/10)

S.C. State Marching 101 vs. FAMU Marching 100

FAMU: Honoring the late Dr. William Patrick Foster

The memorial service for Dr. William P. Foster scheduled for Friday, September 3, at 6 p.m. has been moved from Lee Hall Auditorium to the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

The public viewing scheduled for Friday, September 3, from noon to 6 p.m. has also been moved to the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

Foster served as the band’s director from 1946 until his retirement in 1998. He is credited with revolutionizing marching band techniques and reshaping the world’s concept of the collegiate marching band. Foster brought more than 30 new techniques to the band that have now become standard operating procedures for high school and college bands nationwide.

Foster’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, September 4, at 11 a.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium on FAMU’s campus and will be preceded by a public concert of tribute at 10 a.m. as performed by the FAMU Department of Music. A public viewing is also scheduled for Saturday, September 4, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium. To accommodate the overflow of attendees, a live broadcast of Foster’s funeral will be in the Grand Ballroom.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the “William P. and Mary Ann Foster Endowed Scholarship Fund” at FAMU in support of FAMU band scholarships.

Footage from the Today Show 1999 Tribute to Dr. William P Foster

Jackson to be inducted into FAMU Hall of Fame

Joe Bullard has been the "voice of the FAMU Marching 100" and a major contributor to the hundred legacy of greatness, since 1975. The silky smooth Bullard has been a radio personality(96.1 JAMZ FM) in the Capital City since 1972. As the band's announcer, his voice is known throughout the world.

Almost 25 years later, former Florida A&M baseball coach Robert Lucas still vividly remembers the day that Robert Jackson Jr. decided to be an ironman for the Rattlers. FAMU was involved in two tournament games against Alabama State when Jackson threw under 80 pitches to win the first of two seven-inning games. He pleaded with Lucas to give him the ball for the second game. Lucas reluctantly allowed the now deceased Jackson to make his second start on the same day.

"He said, 'coach, I'm not even tired,' " Lucas recalled. "I said let's go two innings. I looked up and he had thrown only 18 pitches." Jackson ended up staying in the game and throwing 78 pitches, just as many as he did in the first game as he went to distance to win both games. "He was a guy that had a tremendous amount of courage," Lucas said. "He wanted the ball he wanted to pitch."

On Oct. 1, Jackson will get the ultimate athletic recognition from FAMU for his heroics during his four years as a pitcher for the Rattlers. He will be inducted in the school's hall of fame along with five others in ceremonies at the Lawson Center. The other inductees are Tiffany Daughtry, Track & Field; Olrick Johnson, football; Ulysses Wilson, baseball; Amos Hill, coach; and supporter Joe Bullard.



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