MACHIAVELLI
Chairman/C.E.O.
Aug. 10, 2003
POP CULTURE COMMENTARY
Black marching bands get a bad rap
See for yourself before you condemn tradition as risqu?
TONYA JAMESON
When critics complain about the risqu? moves of the West Charlotte and Harding high school marching bands during the annual Carrousel Parade, they focus on sexuality at the expense of the students' passion and a longstanding African American tradition.
I invite those critics to attend Defeat the Beat: Battle of the Bands, on Aug. 23 at Memorial Stadium.
Black marching bands are a growing presence on the entertainment landscape. In TV commercials, the bands have pitched everything from soda to tampons. The recent movie "Drumline," which explored a fictional black college band, became a surprise crossover hit. But TV commercials, movies and parades don't compare to the experience of seeing the pageantry and dance routines of a live competition.
"When you're playing a good song and you're marching, it's like you're in a fight," said freshman Christopher Williams, a tenor sax player from Johnson C. Smith University. "When you're winning, it's like you're a beast."
JCSU, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T and Howard universities are scheduled to compete at the upcoming event. Harding and West Charlotte are scheduled to perform during the intermission.
At the competition, fans will undoubtedly hear someone in the stands scream, "Uh-oh, uh-oh -- uh-oh no, no, no," when a band blows the horn riff from the Beyonce hit "Crazy Love" during its routine. Fans will be dancing and singing.
Many African Americans were offended by the debate over the marching bands at the Carrousel Parade, held uptown in November. By focusing on hip thrusts and midriffs, the discussion reduced the teenage band members to sexual objects, ignoring the dedication and pride the musicians and performers put into their routines.
For those who don't know about the Carrousel debate, parade organizers sent letters to West Charlotte and Harding, asking that students perform "in a dignified manner." The letters prompted nasty exchanges among critics and supporters.
Charlotte is a diverse city struggling to define its identity. African Americans are part of that identity. The high-stepping styles of many predominantly black marching bands are very different from the military precision of predominantly white bands. The two styles reflect traditions in each culture. African American marching bands express the exuberance and defiance of ours.
African American marching bands are not just halftime filler for football games. At black colleges, band directors say, some fans go to games just to see the band.
Ronald Sarjeant, director of bands at S.C. State University, remembers seeing Florida A&M form the scales of justice as a nod to "The Defenders," a popular TV show of the '60s. Today, audiences can hear bands interpret their favorite songs and dances from videos as well as the famous John Philip Sousa fight song, "The March King."
"The entertainment value is phenomenal," Sarjeant said.
The bands are so popular, the inaugural Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase drew 45,000 people to the Georgia Dome in January. Eight colleges performed, including JCSU. Honda plans to invite 10 bands next January and expects to fill all 60,000 seats.
"Drumline," featuring former Charlotte resident Nick Cannon, made $53.6 million in its first six weeks, outgrossing the first month and a half of "Chicago," "Adaptation" and "The Hours" combined.
But black marching bands have snaked in and out of the popular consciousness for decades. Grambling State University performed in the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 1967, and in commercials through the '80s and '90s. Florida A&M has been in commercials, NFL halftime shows and national telethons. Rapper Trick Daddy put a black marching band in his video for "Take It To Da House" and Tampax included a band in a TV ad.
JCSU performs at 60 events a year, ranging from the recent uptown arena groundbreaking to Panthers' games. Band director Duncan Gray sees the young performers as ambassadors for schools. He credits engaging shows and skilled musicianship with popularizing the bands. "People love to be entertained."
So, before Charlotte's band Nazis give out the marching orders for this year's Carrousel Parade, loosen up and go shake a lil' somethin' at Defeat the Beat.
PREVIEW
Defeat the Beat: Battle of the Bands
Black college marching bands compete for cash and bragging rights.
WHEN: 3 p.m. Aug. 23
WHERE: Charlotte Memorial Stadium, 310 North Kings Dr.
TICKETS: $17.50--$21.50.
DETAILS: (704) 522-6500; www.ticketmaster.com. Tonya
Jameson
Reach Tonya Jameson: (704) 358-5047; tjameson@charlotteobserver.com
POP CULTURE COMMENTARY
Black marching bands get a bad rap
See for yourself before you condemn tradition as risqu?
TONYA JAMESON
When critics complain about the risqu? moves of the West Charlotte and Harding high school marching bands during the annual Carrousel Parade, they focus on sexuality at the expense of the students' passion and a longstanding African American tradition.
I invite those critics to attend Defeat the Beat: Battle of the Bands, on Aug. 23 at Memorial Stadium.
Black marching bands are a growing presence on the entertainment landscape. In TV commercials, the bands have pitched everything from soda to tampons. The recent movie "Drumline," which explored a fictional black college band, became a surprise crossover hit. But TV commercials, movies and parades don't compare to the experience of seeing the pageantry and dance routines of a live competition.
"When you're playing a good song and you're marching, it's like you're in a fight," said freshman Christopher Williams, a tenor sax player from Johnson C. Smith University. "When you're winning, it's like you're a beast."
JCSU, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T and Howard universities are scheduled to compete at the upcoming event. Harding and West Charlotte are scheduled to perform during the intermission.
At the competition, fans will undoubtedly hear someone in the stands scream, "Uh-oh, uh-oh -- uh-oh no, no, no," when a band blows the horn riff from the Beyonce hit "Crazy Love" during its routine. Fans will be dancing and singing.
Many African Americans were offended by the debate over the marching bands at the Carrousel Parade, held uptown in November. By focusing on hip thrusts and midriffs, the discussion reduced the teenage band members to sexual objects, ignoring the dedication and pride the musicians and performers put into their routines.
For those who don't know about the Carrousel debate, parade organizers sent letters to West Charlotte and Harding, asking that students perform "in a dignified manner." The letters prompted nasty exchanges among critics and supporters.
Charlotte is a diverse city struggling to define its identity. African Americans are part of that identity. The high-stepping styles of many predominantly black marching bands are very different from the military precision of predominantly white bands. The two styles reflect traditions in each culture. African American marching bands express the exuberance and defiance of ours.
African American marching bands are not just halftime filler for football games. At black colleges, band directors say, some fans go to games just to see the band.
Ronald Sarjeant, director of bands at S.C. State University, remembers seeing Florida A&M form the scales of justice as a nod to "The Defenders," a popular TV show of the '60s. Today, audiences can hear bands interpret their favorite songs and dances from videos as well as the famous John Philip Sousa fight song, "The March King."
"The entertainment value is phenomenal," Sarjeant said.
The bands are so popular, the inaugural Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase drew 45,000 people to the Georgia Dome in January. Eight colleges performed, including JCSU. Honda plans to invite 10 bands next January and expects to fill all 60,000 seats.
"Drumline," featuring former Charlotte resident Nick Cannon, made $53.6 million in its first six weeks, outgrossing the first month and a half of "Chicago," "Adaptation" and "The Hours" combined.
But black marching bands have snaked in and out of the popular consciousness for decades. Grambling State University performed in the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 1967, and in commercials through the '80s and '90s. Florida A&M has been in commercials, NFL halftime shows and national telethons. Rapper Trick Daddy put a black marching band in his video for "Take It To Da House" and Tampax included a band in a TV ad.
JCSU performs at 60 events a year, ranging from the recent uptown arena groundbreaking to Panthers' games. Band director Duncan Gray sees the young performers as ambassadors for schools. He credits engaging shows and skilled musicianship with popularizing the bands. "People love to be entertained."
So, before Charlotte's band Nazis give out the marching orders for this year's Carrousel Parade, loosen up and go shake a lil' somethin' at Defeat the Beat.
PREVIEW
Defeat the Beat: Battle of the Bands
Black college marching bands compete for cash and bragging rights.
WHEN: 3 p.m. Aug. 23
WHERE: Charlotte Memorial Stadium, 310 North Kings Dr.
TICKETS: $17.50--$21.50.
DETAILS: (704) 522-6500; www.ticketmaster.com. Tonya
Jameson
Reach Tonya Jameson: (704) 358-5047; tjameson@charlotteobserver.com