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"

2007 Magic City Classic: Battle of the Bands- ASU Hornets vs. AAMU Bulldogs

A record crowd of 68,593 came to Legion Field this past Saturday to enjoy the battle between the Bulldogs and the Hornets in the Magic City Classic. Alabama A&M University won the football game 13-9 and the winner of the battle of the bands is still undecided. You pick the winner of that contest...

Alabama State University Marching Hornets and Stingettes


Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band and the Dancing Divas


AAMU Band vs. ASU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part I


ASU Band vs. AAMU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part II

Today's Game: Grambling State at Jackson State

Photo: Member of GSU band performs at Half-time.

by beepbeep

Today's rivalry game with the only two undefeated conference teams in the SWAC has created a championship buzz and excitement second only to the final SWAC championship game itself. Grambling State University with a 5-1 overall record (5-0 SWAC), will face Jackson State Tigers, 4-2 overall, 4-0 SWAC in a celebration that will commemorate the 40th year of Grambling and JSU playing at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

This game will also honor the late Grambling coach Eddie Robinson. Members of Coach Rob's family (wife, Doris Robinson and son Eddie Robinson Jr.) are expected to attend the game to receive honors on his behalf. Members of the 1967 JSU football team and former JSU coach Rod Paige, who later served the country as a political appointee and Secretary, over the U.S. Department of Education will also be honored.

But best of all, this rivalry game will be a classic with the Tigers band of Grambling State University and the Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band doing non-stop battle in the stands, on the field and in the 5th Quarter. All the SWAC bands are great, but these two schools takes it to the highest level when they face off at half-time, and you don't want to miss these memorable performances that will be talked about by fans for the next 40 years.

Photo: JSU Sonic Boom of the South band is ready for the world famous GSU Tigers Band.

Yes, this game will be televised today at 12:00 p.m. Central Time, (1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on ESPN Classic and via the Internet online at ESPN 360.

Expect the football to be great also, with Rod Broadway's Grambling Tigers and Rick Comegy's Jackson State Tigers fighting for bragging rights to the SWAC championship.

This one is too close to call and you just have to watch it or be there to see who will become the favorite for the SWAC Championship.

However, to get you in the spirit here are a few excepts for your enjoyment from the bands of GSU and JSU. Enjoy!

Grambling State University Tigers Marching Band (10/13/07)



Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band (10/13/2007)

Grambling State Band: How are they this season?

If you have not heard the famous band from the deep, deep South--here is a clip for your listening pleasure. We all know Grambling football team is headed for the SWAC Championship but is the band up to their usual championship quality? Holla back and let me know your opinions....

Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band (@ UAPB 10/13/07)

Gallery & Half-Time Show: UAPB M4

The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4) and the Golden Girls (10/13/2007).

Gallery: Southern University Human Juke Box answers JSU Tigers

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and the Dancing Dolls

Jackson State University Sonic Boom Band suspension lifted

Photo: JSU Sonic Boom of the South Band member does fire routine during half-time performance.

By LaRaye Brown, Clarion Ledger

Alleged hazing amounts to sit ups

The JSU Sonic Boom marching band will be allowed to perform at the university's Saturday football game against Southern after university officials lifted a suspension prompted by hazing allegations.

Two days after suspending the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University announced it has reversed the decision and will allow the band to perform at Saturday's game against rival Southern University.

The 280-member band was suspended Tuesday after parents and non-members raised hazing allegations.

"Some students were required to do sit ups and crunches if they did not perform their musical parts or marching routine correctly," Velvelyn Foster, vice president of academic affairs and student life, said in a news release. "We also found that some members of the band might have felt pressure because of the high expectation of excellence required of band members."

Lee Shields, a senior trombone player, said he and other members have done 25 to 50 push ups for being late to practice and other things. He said it’s not hazing.

“It’s the honor system,” Shields said. “You know you messed up. There really isn’t any other consequence for it other than you messed up the show.”

The band, which draws high school musicians from across the country, competes at football games with other university show bands. It has performed internationally and on national television, including the NAACP Image Awards.

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

Part I


Part II


Part III


Part IV

SCSU's Marching 101 to play NFL halftime

Photo: S.C. State band members Shion Randolph, center, and Darryl Broome, right, perform Sunday during the 2007 Palmetto Invitational Band Classic in Charleston.

VIDEO: http://www.thestate.com/colleges/story/174132-a173840-t19.html

The South Carolina State Marching 101 band played Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia a week ago. On Sunday, the band goes pro.

To the NFL that is.

The NFL Atlanta Falcons will host the Carolina Panthers for their 2007 home opener at the Georgia Dome. The Marching 101 will perform during halftime.

The game begins at 4:15 p.m. and will air on the FOX network.

The Marching 101 could return to perform in the Georgia Dome in January 2008 if selected to participate in the annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. Vote for the SC State Marching 101's inclusion as one of the nation's Top 10 Historically Black College and University bands at www.hondabattleofthebands.com. Voting concludes on Friday, Nov. 2, at 12 a.m. EST.

S.C. STATE Marching 101 Band
Director: Eddie Ellis
Members: 320
Drum majors: Michael “The Rock” Williams, Quinton “The GQ Model” Turner, Shane “The Professor” Walcott, LaTrondrick “The Rookie” Hunter, Tariq “Pretty Boy” Miller, Jonathan “Oh My God” Whitfield, Fernandez “The Kid” Brown
Style: High step, also known as “chair step” or “ankle-knee”
Claim to fame: They memorize all their sheet music

S.C. State band director Eddie Ellis has directed high school and college bands since 1975.

He joined the Marching 101 three years ago after working as a band director at Morris Brown College. You might remember the Morris Brown band from the 2002 movie “Drumline,” a film Ellis believes brought attention to marching band culture.

“It’s an art form. That movie has had a tremendous impact on the entire band world — regardless of style.”

And style is what makes the Marching 101 unique, Ellis said. This season, the S.C. State band will play mostly hip-hop and rhythm and blues, “but we may go back and do some ’70’s stuff. We try to do something everyone would enjoy.”

“Up for the Dogs,” the S.C. State fight song, and selections from James Brown, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the hit “Bartender” by hip-hop and R&B artist T-Pain are on their list.

Shane “The Professor” Walcott, a senior criminal justice major at S.C. State, is one of seven drum majors. He says the Marching 101 will bring a distinctive, up tempo and aggressive style to every performance. "We’re gonna do what we do best. It’s going to be an exciting show.”

Battle of Bands: 2007 Chicago Football Classic- Southern U. vs. MVSU Valley Band

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band, Half-Time Show @ 2007 Chicago Football Classic


Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils, Half-Time Show @ 2007 Chicago Football Classic