Florida Classic 2008 - FAMU Marching 100

FAMU Marching 100 Pre-game Show

FAMU Marching 100 headlines 2009 Honda Battle of the Bands

The stage is now set for the seventh annual Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) Invitational Showcase (http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/) scheduled to take place Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Ten Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands have been chosen to participate in the 2009 Invitational Showcase through a combination of online voting by fans and a selection process involving HBCU band directors and university presidents.

Fine-tuning their instruments, practicing their drum major acrobatics and choreographing the dance team's routines all in preparation to "stomp at the Dome," the 2009 lineup includes:

--Virginia State University and Fayetteville State University, representing the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA);
-- Florida A&M University and North Carolina A&T State University, representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC);
-- Tuskegee University and Kentucky State University, representing the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC); and
-- Jackson State University and Texas Southern University, representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC);
-- North Carolina Central University and Edward Waters College, both independents.

The ten bands selected to participate in this year's Invitational Showcase will be awarded $20,000 by American Honda for their music scholarship programs--a $10,000 increase over last year. They also will receive an additional $1,000 grant for their participation in the Celebration Tour, HBOB's pre-qualifying event series. In total, $244,000 in scholarship monies will be granted to HBCU music programs through this program for 2008-09.

This year Honda Battle of the Bands welcomes four new bands and looks forward with anticipation to the return of HBOB's longest running participant, Virginia State University, and the goliath of all marching bands -- 440 member-strong Florida A&M University. This year's show, filled with HBCU pageantry and tradition, is sure to be one for the history books as world-class musicianship, show-stopping drum majors, scintillating dance teams and syncopated drum lines come together with one basic goal in mind: To win the crowd.

Florida A&M Universiy Marching 100

"The Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase not only celebrates the pageantry and showmanship of America's HBCUs, but also works to expose people, young and old, to the power and importance of music and higher education," said Marc Burt, Senior Manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. "Music education has been shown to have a strong correlation with high academic achievement, and American Honda has been humbled to bring an event that combines both. Our overarching objective is that this program continues to grow in stature and significance."

HBCU Recruitment Fair

The Honda Battle of Bands HBCU Recruitment Fair will return this year for the fourth year in a row. This event, held prior to the main event in the Georgia World Congress Center, presents young people with the opportunity to meet with marching band and admissions recruiters from all around the country to discuss their unique music programs and distribute information about admissions requirements, academic programs and scholarship opportunities. Last year thirty-four schools exhibited and nearly 2,000 young people attended.

Interested high school students and their parents are welcome to visit the Honda Battle of Bands HBCU Recruitment Fair from 10:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m. the day of the event to learn more about the nation's black colleges, their music programs, scholarships and admissions requirements.

Tickets to this highly anticipated family event are on sale now and can be purchased for $10-$12 on www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com, through Ticketmaster or via the Georgia Dome box-office. For downloadable broadcast video and high resolution photos of the 2008 Invitational Showcase, or more information on the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase bands, visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.

FAMU Marching 100 - Homecoming 2008 Show

Atlanta Football Classic '08: FAMU Marching 100 vs, TSU Aristocrat of Bands

FAMU Marching 100 (Part I)

FAMU Marching 100 (Part II)

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands (Part I)

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands (Part II)

FAMU's Marching 100 to perform in halftime show for the Miami Dolphins

PHOTO GALLERY: Marching 100 Practices in preparation for Sunday's Miami Dolphin show

Florida A&M's band, The Marching 100, will take advantage of one of a few invitations they have recently received since their numbers have expanded to a whooping 420 members.

Sunday, the hundred has been invited to perform during the halftime show of the NFL's Miami Dolphins opening game. Michael Scott, FAMU's head drum major, said this invitation and the others the band has received shows at least one thing. "It shows hard work pays off," he said.

More Battle of the Bands - FAMU, NSU, Tenn St.

MEAC/SWAC Battle of the Bands 8/30-31/2008

FAMU Marching 100 Drill

FAMU Marching 100 Dance Routine

Hampton University Marching Force Band
Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band
Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band
Alabama A&M University Maroon and White Marching Band

Florida A&M Rattler faithful celebrate fan day

Children squeezed between their parents to get an up-close view of the 2008 FAMU football team's autograph session at Sunday's Fan Appreciation Day. Longtime Rattler supporters filled chairs in the food court at Governor's Square Mall. FAMU fans even watched on the upper level, where curious spectators mingled and peered over the rails to get a glimpse of the Marching 100.

FAMU Marching 100 Alumni Band (2008) - Songs: Sing, Sing, Sing; and S.O.S.


The entire band wasn't there but the performance was just as rousing as any that the band is known for. They seemed to captivate the audience with a rendition of "Sing, Sing, Sing," a tune that director Julian White says the band will perform Sept. 7 at a Miami Dolphins game. The estimated 400 fans that showed up also got a chance to meet other athletes and coaching staff from FAMU. For more than an hour after the band played its final tune, fans waited in lines to meet the players and get their autographs.

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Nate Jacobs (Ft Beau Dilly): KEEP MARCHING

A pictorial history of the 2007 FAMU Marching 100

2007 FAMU Marching 100 - A pictorial history of innovation and perfection.

Marching bands bring their best moves to Georgia Dome battle

Photo: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff "Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South Band."

Atlanta, GA - The marching bands with the know-how and the ones with the show-how took the field of the Georgia Dome on Saturday for the sixth annual Honda Battle of the Bands. Ten bands from historically black colleges and universities in the Southeast, left from an original field of 42 competitors, readied their best performances of the year for a roaring audience in the nearly full dome.

Driving beats, intricate marching and troops of dancing girls flashing sass and a little thigh had band members sweating as they left the turf. "It's always a competition when you step on the field," said John Graham, director of the Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

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Borrowed instruments allow NCCU band to compete in Atlanta

DURHAM - The band will play on. By the time you read this, N.C. Central University's marching band and more than a dozen borrowed instruments will be well on the way to Atlanta for the prestigious Battle of the Bands, an invitational showcase for marching bands from historically black colleges and universities.

The band was scheduled to load up the bus this morning at 3 and head south. Its ability to perform came into question last week with the discovery that more than a dozen instruments -- including 14 massive sousaphones -- had been stolen from the band room in two break-ins in November and December. Since then, band officials worked to rescue the excursion with instruments borrowed from various sources.

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In Concert: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and Nat Adderley

The Florida A&M University legacy continues...but let us not forget two musical trailblazing Rattler giants in Julian "Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley.

Straight No Chaser, Julian "Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley


Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! - Joe Zawinul's tune played by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Slideshow.

Cannonball Adderley - Work Song - Jazz Scene USA


Cannonball Adderley - Jive Samba - Jazz Scene USA

Cannonball Adderley Sextet - Jazz 625 - Poor Butterfly

The Florida A&M University Marching 100 in review

Happy New Year Mighty Rattlers!

Florida A&M University Marching 100 - Circa 2007



Florida A&M University Marching 100--- Circa 2001



Florida A&M University Marching 100---Circa 1987



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 2007




FAMU Marching 100---Circa 1988



FAMU Marching 100---Circa 2007



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 2002



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 1995



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 1989



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 2007

Battle of Bands: James Madison vs. Southern University

by beepbeep

Reality--this has never happened in the same stadium, but it could in the near future as MEAC and SWAC teams attempt to upgrade regular season football schedules with playoff experienced Football Championship Subdivision teams. What if Southern University Jaguars football had to face James Madison University Dukes in a national ESPN televised game. What could one expect from the half-time Battle of the Bands show?

Here is a preview of what could happen and the level of competition one could expect from the Dukes. You will be surprised by the level of musicality, precision marching and showmanship. With contrasting styles--who wins this titanic battle--the Human Juke Box or the 1994 Sudler Trophy winning 366-piece Royal Dukes Band?

Note: Florida A&M University (1985) is the only HBCU that has won the Sudler Trophy as the country's top college band. The prestigious award was first given in 1982 and previous winners have been Michigan, Illinois, Ohio State, FAMU, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Kansas, UCLA----you get the picture! The Sudler Trophy, it should be understood is to the world of marching bands what the Heisman Trophy is to that of football. In other words, the Human Jukebox is in for a battle...

James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes Band




Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and Dancing Dolls

2007 Battle of Bands: SCSU vs. NCAT

Lowcountry Classic 2007 Half-Time Shows

South Carolina State University Marching 101


North Carolina A&T State University Blue & Gold Marching Machine

2007 Florida Classic: Battle of the Bands - FAMU vs. BCU

Florida A&M University Marching 100

Florida Classic Halftime FAMU 2007


Bethune Cookman University Wildcats

Florida Classic Halftime BCU 2007


Florida A&M University Marching 100 - Concert Selection


Bethune Cookman University Wildcats - Concert Selection


Florida A&M University Marching 100



Bethune Cookman University Wildcats



Florida A&M University Marching 100

PBS Florida Crossroads: The Making of the Band, The FAMU Marching 100

The Florida A&M University "Marching 100” was featured on PBS’s Florida Crossroads television show on October 30, November 1, and November 4, 2007, which aired on PBS and other public, educational and government channels throughout the State of Florida. The 30-minute documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU "Marching 100," focused on the members of the Marching 100, who spoke candidly about what it takes to be a part of the world renowned tradition.

For your pleasure and enjoyment, the entire program is provided below in a sequence of three parts of the program. Dr. Julian E. White, director of bands and chairman of the Florida A&M University Department of Music, shares impartial insight to the internal workings of this 61 year old institution, which was created by Dr. William P. Foster. You don't want to miss watching this straightforward documentary of the Florida A&M University Marching 100. Enjoy!

Part I: PBS Documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU Marching 100"


Part II: PBS Documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU Marching 100"


Part III: PBS Documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU Marching 100"

Honda BOTB DVD: Stompin' at the Dome

FAMU Marching 100 is not on this one; taped in 2007--NSU and BCU represented the MEAC. My favorite is Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm, directed by George W. Edwards, (FAMU grad) who put on a spectacular show, as always. Order it--worth the price and great entertainment! Proceeds from the DVD sales will benefit each school’s music program.

Florida A&M University Marching 100: Half-Time Show, Atlanta Football Classic 2007

Part I


Part II


Part III


Part IV