FAMU, Howard and Grambling State Marching Bands to Play at Presidential Inauguration
Black College Wire staff report
Issue date: 12/13/08 Section: Features
University's World Famed Tiger Marching Band will participate in the historic President's Inaugural Parade on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
They will join other invited parade participants including the marching bands from Hampton, Delaware State and Howard universities following Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol steps as the 44th President of the United States.
"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," Obama is quoted as saying in a news release sent out by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
"These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect (Joe) Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade," Obama said in the news release.
Julian White, FAMU's department of music chair and director of bands, said he received a telephone call during rehearsal on Dec. 5 informing him that the Marching 100 had been selected to participate in the inaugural parade, according to a news release from the FAMU office of public relations.
"When I heard that we were selected, I immediately asked them to repeat it again," White said. "I put them on speakerphone and put the phone to the microphone so that the entire band could hear the invite. As soon as the band members heard the invitation, they went berserk. They were screaming and shouting. They started calling and sending text messages to their family and friends informing them of the wonderful news."
This appearance will be the third time the award-winning FAMU band will perform in a presidential inaurugal parade. The band participated in both of the inaugural parades for former President Bill Clinton. The World Famed also has been invited to an previous inaugural parades, marching in President George W. Bush's first Inauguration and former President Bill Clinton's 1999 Inauguration.
"For Florida A&M University to be a part of such a historical occasion is truly an honor," said James H. Ammons, FAMU's president. "This nation will have an opportunity to see once again what we all know - the Marching 100 is this nation's most talented, dynamic and innovative university band."
They will join other invited parade participants including the marching bands from Hampton, Delaware State and Howard universities following Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol steps as the 44th President of the United States.
"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," Obama is quoted as saying in a news release sent out by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
"These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect (Joe) Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade," Obama said in the news release.
Julian White, FAMU's department of music chair and director of bands, said he received a telephone call during rehearsal on Dec. 5 informing him that the Marching 100 had been selected to participate in the inaugural parade, according to a news release from the FAMU office of public relations.
"When I heard that we were selected, I immediately asked them to repeat it again," White said. "I put them on speakerphone and put the phone to the microphone so that the entire band could hear the invite. As soon as the band members heard the invitation, they went berserk. They were screaming and shouting. They started calling and sending text messages to their family and friends informing them of the wonderful news."
This appearance will be the third time the award-winning FAMU band will perform in a presidential inaurugal parade. The band participated in both of the inaugural parades for former President Bill Clinton. The World Famed also has been invited to an previous inaugural parades, marching in President George W. Bush's first Inauguration and former President Bill Clinton's 1999 Inauguration.
"For Florida A&M University to be a part of such a historical occasion is truly an honor," said James H. Ammons, FAMU's president. "This nation will have an opportunity to see once again what we all know - the Marching 100 is this nation's most talented, dynamic and innovative university band."
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