Mrknowitall91
New Member
This Monday legendary band director Harold J. Haughton Sr. annoucnced he will be retiring at the end of this semester.
Harold J. Haughton is a Jackson State Universtiy Graduate, where he started his legendary journey in the HBCU music world. He came to Viginia State University in 1984 with his assistant arranger James Holden from Jackson State. When they came to VSU, they knew of the reputation and outstanding band of the VSU "Marching 110". However, things weren't so wonderful when they arrived. With the change of directors, only seventeen students showed up for the first day of practice when he joined Virginia State University as band director.
The famed "Marching 110," built during the leadership of Dr. F. Nathaniel Gatling and expanded during the tutuledge of O'Neal Sanford, that he had heard so much about had dwindled. But Haughton didn't let the lack of members rattle him, even though he had just come from directing a outstanding 180-member marching band at Jackson State University. Armed with commitments from the administration, faculty and staff, Haughton channeled his resources and student leaders such as Kurt D. Hampton to help swell the bands membership to 48 during his first year at the helm. It was hard because they were constantly reminded of the past bands status.
Yet, Haughton's first group "had a lot of heart," he said, which was a major reason he decided to hang in there, rather than throw up his hands and walk away. Eighteen years later, the "Marching Trojan Explosion" is stepping strong and has more than trippled in size. He doesn't believe in medicrocity. "We accept too much of that, which I don't believe is necessary. I believe students will rise to whatever standard or level you expect of them. I want students to leave VSU knowing they have played top-level, challenging music and played it well. Then they can hold their heads up and talk to anybody else in the country about what they played and how they played it."
"I just believe we can be just as good as we want to be if we are willing to pay the dues," Haughton said. "My moment of truth comes when I see what happens to a student who some people have written off, and they find that they have talent and can be real good at something. Then all of a sudden their whole attitude changes toward people and toward life, because they are productive. And people who are productive don't create problems, they help improve situations. That's what I love to see happen."
The band's sound is one of its greatest assets and that quality is attracting students who just want to play in the band, even without having a scholarship, he added.
Assistant band director James Holden, who worked with Haughton at Jackson State and came with him at the same time to Virginia State, said whatever level of support is offered to the band, Haughton does whatever it takes to accomplish his goal, often working miracles to keep the group intact.
The band's drills and arrangements have influenced other bands in the CIAA, he said. "People talk about B.B. King as the King of the blues-I would call Harold the King of marching bands," Holden added, pointing to Haughton's respected reputation among major colleges and universities across the country.
Mr. Haughton has done it all at VSU, from chairman of VSU's Department of Music, to balancing the department chairmanship and band director duties, in addition to teaching courses in instrumental methods, conducting methods, applied music and music theory. He also directs the approximately 40-member Pep Band which performs during basketball games and the roughly 50-member Concert Band which plays during University convocations and other special events. The Trojan Explosion has earned invitations to a variety of showcase performances-giving opening and halftime performances for the University of Virginia home games, appearances in the Whitney M. Young Classic at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands and the classic bowl in Savannah, Georgia, as well as the annual African American Parade, the Celebration in Hartford, Connecticut.
The style and reputation of the current band is a testiment to Mr. Haughton and his upbringing. His students and alumni have always respected him and have tried to represent him and the Trojan family to the highest of levels.
He will be greatly missed but we know that he will not be to far from the band that he helped to build.
Maybe we will see him and Dr. Hodge chilling at a game sipping on a brew talking about the bands of today that they both helped to influence.
Harold J. Haughton, Sr. a HBCU marching band legend.
Thanks for 43 Years of Musical Excellence
_________________
Band is a Sport...do you have game?
Harold J. Haughton is a Jackson State Universtiy Graduate, where he started his legendary journey in the HBCU music world. He came to Viginia State University in 1984 with his assistant arranger James Holden from Jackson State. When they came to VSU, they knew of the reputation and outstanding band of the VSU "Marching 110". However, things weren't so wonderful when they arrived. With the change of directors, only seventeen students showed up for the first day of practice when he joined Virginia State University as band director.
The famed "Marching 110," built during the leadership of Dr. F. Nathaniel Gatling and expanded during the tutuledge of O'Neal Sanford, that he had heard so much about had dwindled. But Haughton didn't let the lack of members rattle him, even though he had just come from directing a outstanding 180-member marching band at Jackson State University. Armed with commitments from the administration, faculty and staff, Haughton channeled his resources and student leaders such as Kurt D. Hampton to help swell the bands membership to 48 during his first year at the helm. It was hard because they were constantly reminded of the past bands status.
Yet, Haughton's first group "had a lot of heart," he said, which was a major reason he decided to hang in there, rather than throw up his hands and walk away. Eighteen years later, the "Marching Trojan Explosion" is stepping strong and has more than trippled in size. He doesn't believe in medicrocity. "We accept too much of that, which I don't believe is necessary. I believe students will rise to whatever standard or level you expect of them. I want students to leave VSU knowing they have played top-level, challenging music and played it well. Then they can hold their heads up and talk to anybody else in the country about what they played and how they played it."
"I just believe we can be just as good as we want to be if we are willing to pay the dues," Haughton said. "My moment of truth comes when I see what happens to a student who some people have written off, and they find that they have talent and can be real good at something. Then all of a sudden their whole attitude changes toward people and toward life, because they are productive. And people who are productive don't create problems, they help improve situations. That's what I love to see happen."
The band's sound is one of its greatest assets and that quality is attracting students who just want to play in the band, even without having a scholarship, he added.
Assistant band director James Holden, who worked with Haughton at Jackson State and came with him at the same time to Virginia State, said whatever level of support is offered to the band, Haughton does whatever it takes to accomplish his goal, often working miracles to keep the group intact.
The band's drills and arrangements have influenced other bands in the CIAA, he said. "People talk about B.B. King as the King of the blues-I would call Harold the King of marching bands," Holden added, pointing to Haughton's respected reputation among major colleges and universities across the country.
Mr. Haughton has done it all at VSU, from chairman of VSU's Department of Music, to balancing the department chairmanship and band director duties, in addition to teaching courses in instrumental methods, conducting methods, applied music and music theory. He also directs the approximately 40-member Pep Band which performs during basketball games and the roughly 50-member Concert Band which plays during University convocations and other special events. The Trojan Explosion has earned invitations to a variety of showcase performances-giving opening and halftime performances for the University of Virginia home games, appearances in the Whitney M. Young Classic at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands and the classic bowl in Savannah, Georgia, as well as the annual African American Parade, the Celebration in Hartford, Connecticut.
The style and reputation of the current band is a testiment to Mr. Haughton and his upbringing. His students and alumni have always respected him and have tried to represent him and the Trojan family to the highest of levels.
He will be greatly missed but we know that he will not be to far from the band that he helped to build.
Maybe we will see him and Dr. Hodge chilling at a game sipping on a brew talking about the bands of today that they both helped to influence.
Harold J. Haughton, Sr. a HBCU marching band legend.
Thanks for 43 Years of Musical Excellence
_________________
Band is a Sport...do you have game?
