Strike Up the Band! By Patrice Wallace
Morgan’s Magnificent Marching Machine
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For fans of college football at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the halftime show is as important as—if not more important than—the game itself. Expectant fans await not a touchdown or a field goal, but the sights and sounds of over 100 musical athletes marching onto the field. These athletes dazzle the crowd with fancy footwork, complicated formations, and complex musical compositions. Even separately, these components are impressive; collectively they are nothing short of spectacular. Who wouldn’t be amazed at the sight of a tuba player belting out a riff from Earth, Wind, & Fire while dancing on one leg? The modern-day showmanship that characterizes black college marching bands is credited to Dr. William Foster, Florida A&M University’s band director emeritus. During a famous practice in 1946, Dr. Foster added a few steps and high-knee lifts to his band’s performance of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” The crowd was energized by the results and the tradition of dancing marching bands was born.
WINTER
2005
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