PVAMU Community Mourns The Loss of A Legend: Band Director George Edwards
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Posted By: DeShawn Parks on May 31, 2009 PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas--(May 29, 2009)--TODAY, Prairie View A&M University mourns the death of Professor and Director of Bands George Edwards. He directed PVAMU’s world renowned Marching Storm Band for 30 years, before his death on May 28. “On behalf of the entire PVAMU community, we offer our deepest condolences to the entire Edwards family. For three decades we were fortunate to have George contribute to our community and nurture the talent of our student performers,” states PVAMU President George C. Wright. Affectionately known around campus as “Prof Edwards”, Edwards first arrived at Prairie View A&M in 1978. Under his tenure, the university’s Marching Storm Band entertained audiences around the U.S. and the world and developed a reputation for its unique sound. Prairie View A&M’s band, once known as the “Funky 50,” was renamed under Edwards’ leadership and vision in 1984. Today, the Marching Storm is now considered among the most dynamic and skilled bands in the world for its unparalleled musical artistry, and electrifying and adventurous drum line which is showcased during each performance. Many music scholars attribute the growing popularity of drum line techniques to Edwards and Prairie View A&M. A highlight in his distinguished career, Edwards directed the Marching Storm Band’s inaugural performance in the 120th Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calfi. on New Year’s Day 2009. Prairie View A&M’s band was the first band to perform in the Rose Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the parade each year. A tribute to his success and unique skill, Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Chancellor Michael McKinney invited Edwards, the Marching Storm Band and the Black Foxes auxiliary dance troupe, under the direction of Margaret Sherrod, to perform at Kyle Field during a Texas A&M University game— a first in the history of the TAMUS. Under Edward’s tenure, the Marching Storm also performed in President George W. Bush’s Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. in 2001 and was a featured performer in the 2004 Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game. In 2006, he led the band to perform in the ESSENCE Music Festival in Houston. For three consecutive years, the Prairie View A&M University’s Marching Storm Band performed in the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, which later allowed Edwards and the band to be featured in “Stompin’ at the Dome” a DVD band documentary, which featured PVAMU. The world was introduced to Edwards’ skill and the PVAMU Marching Storm during a feature in the British documentary “Marching All Together,” which aired on the BBC Network. In 2007, Edwards’ compassion and fierce dedication was captured by the New York Times in a video and article which covered the Band leading up to the annual Labor Day Classic football game between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern University. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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DeShawn Parks
From Fort Worth, TX Prairie View A&M University class of 2012 Member Since August 2007 |
Comments
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Prof Ed was my band director and it saddens me and former and current members of the Marching Storm but I can truely say that Prof Edwards teaching will not go in vain. So all those that read this please keep the family of George Edwards and the PVAMU Family in your prayers.
Thursday, June 4th 2009 at 9:04AM |
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