Updated: FAMU's Marching 100 to perform in Obama's inaugural parade
By Angeline J. Taylor • Democrat Staff Writer • December 6, 2008
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updated 3:55 p.m.
Florida A&M's Julian White received a phone call Friday evening during band
rehearsal that he'll never forget.
A man told White, FAMU's director of bands and music chairman, that his
420-member Marching 100 was selected to participate in President-elect
Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade on January 20. White asked the man a quick
question.
"Would you mind repeating that?"
White turned on the cell phone's speaker and put the phone close to a
neighboring microphone. Then, the news was repeated to hundreds of band
students.
"Pandemonium just broke out," White said.
Students began pulling out their own cell phones to tell friends and family,
White said.
"Within 10 to 15 minutes, it was all over the United States," White said.
White couldn't help getting euphoric from the news. He went to his office to
place a call to FAMU President James Ammons.
Ammons said, "This is definitely where we wanted to be. Of all the bands in
this country to be selected ... I think this reinforces that the 'Hundred'
is truly America's band."
Student band president Ralph Jean-Paul said, "Words can not express how we
feel. We consider this to be a great privilege for the band to be a part of
this historical event."
Congressman Allen Boyd, D-North Florida, also offered well wishes after
hearing the news.
"It is a tremendous honor that President-elect Obama has chosen FAMU's
Marching 100 to be a part of this historic occasion. Performing in the
Inaugural Parade will be something that these students will never forget,
and I know that they will make FAMU and North Florida very Proud," Boyd said
by news release.
The Marching 100 took part in the inaugurations for President Clinton. For
this inauguration, White and other colleagues had to complete an extensive
application. They sent a DVD of the band's marching performance as well as
audio clips and a 50-page media kit with the band's accomplishments.
But that was just the first step. The band must raise $90,000-$100,000 to
pay for three nights of lodging and travel expenses to and from Washington
D.C., White said.
"We are really going to need the help of our supporters, the FAMU community,
our alumni and the local community," White said.
*updated 1:20 p.m.*
Congressman Allen Boyd, D-North Florida, is congratulating FAMU's Marching
100 band for its invitation to perform in the Inaugural Parade.
In a statement released today, Boyd said, "It is a tremendous honor that
President-elect Obama has chosen FAMU's Marching 100 to be a part of this
historic occasion. Performing in the Inaugural Parade will be something that
these students will never forget, and I know that they will make FAMU and
North Florida very proud."
Check back with Tallahassee.com for more on this story.
first update
Florida A&M University's Marching 100 band will perform as part of
inauguration activities of President-elect Barack Obama, said Sharon
Saunders, FAMU spokeswoman.
FAMU received the invitation to perform in the inaugural parade Friday
night. The parade is scheduled for Jan. 20.
Return to Tallahassee.com for more details.
--
"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over
their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change."
- Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965
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