Sound Machine tuba player Antoine Luster during a late afternoon practice session preparing for the Honda Battle of the Bands.http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/index.html
(Bryson **** Echo Staff Photographer)
The March to Atlanta
Sound Machine prepares its return to the Battle of the Bandswww.nccu.edu/campus/echo/c-band.html
By Ebony McQueen
Echo Staff Writer
Music sophomore Gerran Adams leans right during a practice run of Missy Elliot's
Residence Hall in winter 2004.
(Bryson ****/Eco Staff Photograoher)
N.C. Central University’s Sound Machine will be packing their bags and hitting the road Friday for the 2006 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase in Atlanta, Jan. 28.
The Sound Machine was selected from among the bands of 41 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the band and University to get additional exposure,” said Kawachi Clemons, assistant band director.
Two bands were selected from each of the five conferences based on a voting process. The Sound Machine was the only band selected from North Carolina.
For the second year in a row, the Sound Machine will perform against nine other HBCUs .
“We’re just excited to play on the same field as other bands who have done commercials and advertisements,” said Clemons. “It’s always an honor and privilege to be in the presence of other musicians.”
The Sound Machine has been practicing every day for the Showcase, with additional practices to add the finishing touches to their routine.
“It shows a lot of dedication for a college student to take time out of their Sunday afternoon to practice,” said Clemons.
For English and Mass Communi-cations junior Denea Nriaka, it will be her first year performing with the Sound Machine in Atlanta.
“I’m excited about going,” she said. “All of our hard work will definitely pay off, and I can’t wait to go to Atlanta.”
Each band has 12 minutes to perform whatever they want. They also get to perform a pre-game show along with the other bands.
Although the performances will not be judged, each band still puts together their best halftime performance for this high-profile event.
“Over 50,000 people attended last year, and they expect even more this year,” said Clemons. “It gets larger every year because of the support from the students.”
Business management senior Sharron Fox said she is driving to Atlanta to see the Sound Machine perform.
“I know it’s going to be packed with students cheering their school on.”
N.C. Central competes in Super Bowl of black college bandshttp://nccusmbc.tripod.com
By CHARLES ODUM, Associated Press Writer
January 28, 2006 9:42 pm
http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com
ATLANTA -- After closing the show Saturday at what is billed as the Super Bowl of black college marching bands before a Georgia Dome sellout crowd, Bethune-Cookman College's "Marching Wildcats" can look forward to more Super exposure next weekend.
In each case, the band gives thanks to a different car company.
Saturday's Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Honda, drew a sellout crowd of 64,800 to the Georgia Dome, the first sellout in the fourth year of the event.
Ten marching bands from historically black colleges matched their high-stepping routines. The program started with the smallest band -- Central State (Ohio) University -- and ended with Bethune-Cookman, from Daytona Beach, Fla.
"When everything is over, every band wants to leave with people talking about their band," said Bethune-Cookman band director **** Wells. "You want to leave here with bragging rights."
Though called a battle, the event is more of a show -- or a chance to show off -- than a competition.
"To be part of this kind of stage in front of this many people, it means a lot," Wells said.
Bethune-Cookman participated in the Battle of the Bands for the third straight year. The Marching Wildcats have previously performed at NFL halftime shows and they are the official band for the opening ceremonies for the Daytona 500.
But next Sunday comes an even bigger stage. Wells said the band received confirmation this week it will be featured in a Cadillac commercial that will debut on the Super Bowl postgame show. Wells said the commercial then will be shown for another 30 to 60 days.
"We are a small college," Wells said. "To get the college the exposure the band brings to the institution is priceless."
The 10 bands at Saturday's show were chosen from a field of 41 in a vote from fans, black college presidents, conference commissioners and band directors.
Also performing Saturday were Jackson State (Miss.) and Prairie View (Texas) A&M of the Southwestern Athletic Conference; North Carolina Central and Virginia State of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association; Florida A&M of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; Clark Atlanta and Tuskegee (Ala.) of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference; and independent Langston (Okla.).
Jackson State's "Sonic Boom of the South" with its dance team called "The Prancing J-Settes," and Central State's "Invincible Marching Marauders" made their first appearances.
Local favorite Clark Atlanta, which appeared in the 2002 movie "Drumline" which helped inspire the idea for the Battle of the Bands, has previously performed at the Georgia Dome at halftime of Atlanta Falcons games.
Honda's Barbara Ponce, who oversees the company's multicultural initiatives, said the Battle of the Bands has helped the carmaker "connect with African American customers."
"The first year we only had half of the Georgia Dome and we expected about 20,000, but we got 40,000 and had 15,000 outside we had to turn away," Ponce said.
Ponce said "there is every reason" to keep the event at the Georgia Dome.
URL for this article:http://www.herald-sun.com/state/6-695109.html
From News & Observer Published: Jan 28, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Jan 28, 2006 03:12 AM
http://www.newsobserver.com/978/story/393516.html'Sound Machine' to face sound competitionhttp://nccusmbc.tripod.comNCCU's is one of 10 historically black college bands selected for weekend showcase in Atlantahttp://www.hondabattleofthebands.com
Freshman Julyen Murphy sounds his trombone during practice for NCCU's "Sound Machine" marching band. Chosen from a field of 41 HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) marching bands, NCCU will be one of 10 to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase in Atlanta on Saturday. All 10 schools will receive an $11,000 grant for their music programs.
Staff Photo by Shawn Rocco
READY FOR BATTLE If you listen to these 10 bands, be prepared to hear many sweet sounds and witness more than a few dazzling dance moves.
CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (CIAA)
N.C. Central University
Virginia State UniversityMID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (MEAC)
Bethune-Cookman College
Florida A&M University
SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
Tuskegee University
Clark Atlanta University
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SWAC)
Jackson State University
Prairie View A&M University
INDEPENDENT
Central State University
Langston University
Deneesha Edwards, Staff Writer
Dennis Scott saved up his money for this moment.
Heading to Atlanta this weekend to watch N.C. Central University's marching band is a big deal to him and others who will be headed south to the 2006 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.
"I was determined to go," said Scott, a junior hospitality and tourism administration major at NCCU. "I expect [NCCU] to show other bands and their audience that excellence is no accident."
"The Marching Sound Machine" from NCCU and bands from nine other historically black colleges and universities from four athletic conferences will perform at the Georgia Dome today.
The bands were selected from 41 schools by an online voting process.
Each performing band will receive $11,000 from the automaker, which NCCU plans to use for expenses and scholarships.
The Sound Machine will be the only North Carolina band performing at the event."The band is an ambassador for the university," said band director Jorim Reid. "The showcase will open doors for recruitment in the high schools in the area for NCCU."
This is the second year the nearly 200-member band, known for its unique formations and style of music at NCCU's football games, will perform in the fourth-annual showcase.
The band has also appeared on the MTV and BET television networks.
"It feels good to go again," said Leonardo Williams, who was head drum major last year.
"We get to show people what we have to offer -- a diverse style of hip hop, classical music, jazz and gospel," he said. "Most important, we focus on the teaching of musicianship and promote academics."
Reid said the event is not just a showcase for the schools' bands, but also an opportunity to highlight their music programs and academics.
"I measure my success by how many students are graduating from my program and how successful they become," he said.
At 32, Reid is the youngest director among the participating schools.
That, he said, translates into a more youthful program. The band takes more risks and gives a 12-minute performance full of energy, he said.
"We going to play something that's exciting," Reid said. "Everyone in the audience is going to find at least three things that they are going to like, no matter what their age is."
Although The Sound Machine is among the smallest of the bands performing today, Reid doesn't think that matters.
Williams said the band will distinguish itself in another, more important, area.
"It about the quality, not the quantity," he said.
The Sound Machine also will perform Sunday at New Birth, an Atlanta church headed by Bishop Eddie L. Long, an NCCU graduate.http://www.newbirth.org/
Bracing for the Battle of the Bands
LISTEN TO THE AUDIOhttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5176283
by Kathy Lohr
Weekend Edition - Saturday, January 28, 2006 · Atlanta's Battle of the Bands is an annual competition among marching bands from historically black colleges and universities. Practice sessions were intense at Clark Atlanta University, made famous in the movie Drumline.
Sound Machine tuba player Antoine Luster during a late afternoon practice session preparing for the Honda Battle of the Bands.
Music sophomore Gerran Adams leans right during a practice run of Missy Elliot's
Residence Hall in winter 2004.
(Bryson ****/Eco Staff Photograoher)
N.C. Central University’s Sound Machine will be packing their bags and hitting the road Friday for the 2006 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase in Atlanta, Jan. 28.
The Sound Machine was selected from among the bands of 41 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the band and University to get additional exposure,” said Kawachi Clemons, assistant band director.
Two bands were selected from each of the five conferences based on a voting process. The Sound Machine was the only band selected from North Carolina.
For the second year in a row, the Sound Machine will perform against nine other HBCUs .
“We’re just excited to play on the same field as other bands who have done commercials and advertisements,” said Clemons. “It’s always an honor and privilege to be in the presence of other musicians.”
The Sound Machine has been practicing every day for the Showcase, with additional practices to add the finishing touches to their routine.
“It shows a lot of dedication for a college student to take time out of their Sunday afternoon to practice,” said Clemons.
For English and Mass Communi-cations junior Denea Nriaka, it will be her first year performing with the Sound Machine in Atlanta.
“I’m excited about going,” she said. “All of our hard work will definitely pay off, and I can’t wait to go to Atlanta.”
Each band has 12 minutes to perform whatever they want. They also get to perform a pre-game show along with the other bands.
Although the performances will not be judged, each band still puts together their best halftime performance for this high-profile event.
“Over 50,000 people attended last year, and they expect even more this year,” said Clemons. “It gets larger every year because of the support from the students.”
Business management senior Sharron Fox said she is driving to Atlanta to see the Sound Machine perform.
“I know it’s going to be packed with students cheering their school on.”
Freshman Julyen Murphy sounds his trombone during practice for NCCU's "Sound Machine" marching band. Chosen from a field of 41 HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) marching bands, NCCU will be one of 10 to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase in Atlanta on Saturday. All 10 schools will receive an $11,000 grant for their music programs.
Staff Photo by Shawn Rocco
READY FOR BATTLE If you listen to these 10 bands, be prepared to hear many sweet sounds and witness more than a few dazzling dance moves.
CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (CIAA)
N.C. Central University
Virginia State University
MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (MEAC)
Bethune-Cookman College
Florida A&M University
SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
Tuskegee University
Clark Atlanta University
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SWAC)
Jackson State University
Prairie View A&M University
INDEPENDENT
Central State University
Langston University
Deneesha Edwards, Staff Writer
Dennis Scott saved up his money for this moment.
Heading to Atlanta this weekend to watch N.C. Central University's marching band is a big deal to him and others who will be headed south to the 2006 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.
"I was determined to go," said Scott, a junior hospitality and tourism administration major at NCCU. "I expect [NCCU] to show other bands and their audience that excellence is no accident."
"The Marching Sound Machine" from NCCU and bands from nine other historically black colleges and universities from four athletic conferences will perform at the Georgia Dome today.
The bands were selected from 41 schools by an online voting process.
Each performing band will receive $11,000 from the automaker, which NCCU plans to use for expenses and scholarships.
The Sound Machine will be the only North Carolina band performing at the event.
"The band is an ambassador for the university," said band director Jorim Reid. "The showcase will open doors for recruitment in the high schools in the area for NCCU."
This is the second year the nearly 200-member band, known for its unique formations and style of music at NCCU's football games, will perform in the fourth-annual showcase.
The band has also appeared on the MTV and BET television networks.
"It feels good to go again," said Leonardo Williams, who was head drum major last year.
"We get to show people what we have to offer -- a diverse style of hip hop, classical music, jazz and gospel," he said. "Most important, we focus on the teaching of musicianship and promote academics."
Reid said the event is not just a showcase for the schools' bands, but also an opportunity to highlight their music programs and academics.
"I measure my success by how many students are graduating from my program and how successful they become," he said.
At 32, Reid is the youngest director among the participating schools.
That, he said, translates into a more youthful program. The band takes more risks and gives a 12-minute performance full of energy, he said.
"We going to play something that's exciting," Reid said. "Everyone in the audience is going to find at least three things that they are going to like, no matter what their age is."
Although The Sound Machine is among the smallest of the bands performing today, Reid doesn't think that matters.
Williams said the band will distinguish itself in another, more important, area.
"It about the quality, not the quantity," he said.
The Sound Machine also will perform Sunday at New Birth, an Atlanta church headed by Bishop Eddie L. Long, an NCCU graduate.
