HOUSTON — It’s almost 10 p.m. and still a sweltering, sticky 95 degrees when Texas Southern’s Ocean of Soul band marches onto the top of a parking garage a stone’s throw from downtown Houston.
The glittering skyline is close enough to provide some illumination to the dimly lit structure. It reveals beads of sweat dripping off many faces as the students near the end of a 10-hour rehearsal day. One of the three drum majors, Dominique Conner, speeds through his bandmates, handing out kudos when earned and criticism when needed.
Band director Brian Simmons climbs to the top of a nearby ladder and lifts a bullhorn.
“Everything you do matters,” he barks.
Just why more than 100 student musicians are honing their routines on a giant slab of concrete in the brutal August heat of a Houston summer is a microcosm, in many ways, of life at a historically Black college or university like Texas Southern. They are here because it’s the best available option at a school where resources are rarely plentiful. They are here because they need the practice for a showcase against seven other HBCU marching bands that is coming up fast.
They are also here because playing in bands like the Ocean of Soul isn’t about school participation and it’s not about knocking out an extracurricular activity. By joining, just like their brethren in HBCU bands at Southern and Howard and Florida A&M and all the others, they become part of a treasured hallmark of the Black community, which is eager to love them like family and celebrate with them step by choreographed step. It has been this way for decades, but in the age of social media and online streaming, the bands are enjoying fresh attention.
MARCHING BAND PREVIEW: Fairfield Marching Pride
SHOW: SPEAK!
MUSIC: “Symphony No. 10, Op. 93 II. Allegro,” by Dmitri Shostakovich; “Say Something,” Great Big World; original music by percussion director and arranger Isaiah Mumaw; “Crushcrushcrush,” Paramore.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 80
ISSMA CLASS: Open Class C
DIRECTORS & STAFF
Directors: Mykayla Roskos-Neilson and Dakota Pederson
Staff: Music arrangers Alex Yoder and Dakota Pederson, show designer Mykayla Roskos-Neilson, drill writer and visual staff Adam Shull, percussion director and arranger Isaiah Mumaw, percussion staff Andrew Morris, guard director Jen Buckholz, guard staff Melissa Shull; support staff Emma Robbins, Jesse Torres, Allison Schrock, and Carson Bontreger.
Band boosters officers: President Jeff Richendollar, Treasurer Audie Farrington, and Tonya Howe.
Drum major: Angelia Ellison
SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE: Sept. 9, Goshen Invitational; Sept. 16, Concord Invitational; Sept. 23, Carroll Challenge of Bands Invitational; Sept. 30, ISSMA Open Class Invitational; Oct. 7, ISSMA Regional; Oct. 21, ISSMA Semi-State; Oct. 28, ISSMA State Finals; Nov. 9-11, BOA Grand Nationals
Q & A
Q: Why is the marching band program important to students and their families?
A: I think marching band is important to our parents because they see the values and skills that their children learn in being a part of marching band. This art is not easy; it takes time, money, and REAL effort to not only put on a show for competitions, parades, and rallies, but to find success within the season! Our parents acknowledge that and also help out immensely with all things that pertain to functioning as a well-oiled machine.
JHS Marching Band To Host Annual Fall Festival Of Bands
Pictured is the JHS Marching Band.
The Jamestown High School Marching Band will host bands from around New York and Pennsylvania for its 44th annual Fall Festival of Bands on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Strider Field.
The JHS Marching Band will perform their 2023 show, The Quest.
“Our Jamestown High School band students have been working extremely hard this summer to prepare for our competitive fall season!” said Meghan Murray, JHS marching band director. “The band is full of hardworking students who have put a lot of effort into this show. Based on video game music, The Quest takes the audience through a video game story – searching for a missing artifact through different worlds and settings. Using music from Assassin’s Creed, Fullmetal Alchemist and Civilization VI, the band will present a highly entertaining show!”
The Fall Festival of Bands is the JHS Marching Band’s most significant annual fundraiser. Bands performing this year are Eisenhower, Falconer/Frewsburg, Northwestern (Pa.), Iroquois (Pa.), West Seneca, Orchard Park, Corning-Painted Post and Jamestown. Mercyhurst University will also perform an exhibition performance.