As I watched the Rose bowl and the Macys Day Parade I notice that I rarely see my type of marching bands that I have grown up to love. To all my HBCU and High School show style band-heads why is it so hard to see African American show-style bands on TV?This might be an easy question to ask, but I do want to know your opinion to this topic.Thanks!
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They are seen occasionally, certainly way more than the 80's and 90's.
Understand that we're not the only bands that exist. HBCUs and the high schools that tend to feed them make up a very small percentage of all the schools that can be invited.
You have to have a well-performing group with decent numbers, whatever the style. Most of the bigger parades require you to have 100 instrumentalists or more, and you have to send in a performance tape/clip to be reviewed by a panel of some sort before you can be invited. 32 kids that can only play Neck and ESPN (poorly) won't get looked at.
Sometimes the invites do come in, but somebody has to be there to answer the phone or open the mail. Not every envelope that comes in is a bill or something bad...
Moving a band on a trip is a large project. Bands, directors, administrators, and parents have to have a vision of what it takes to plan that kind of trip once you DO get invited. You have hotels, buses, planes, meals, and activities that have to be paid for...which means you have to raise funds, even in college to a certain degree. You can't be afraid to hustle, network, politick, etc. to get what you need for travel. Some bands do this year in, year out, even when they don't have a "big trip". That money can be used for uniforms, instruments, and scholarships.
Sorry for the long post, but that's what came to mind for your question. Anyone can feel free to add or argue what I have...
I agree with you. What you said is true.
I know for AAMU MMW we had to get everyone involved to make our trip to the 2006 Rose Bowl possible. We had school administration, AAMU alumni associations throughout the U.S., many church organizations, commercials, and fun-raisers to help make our trip possible. We also had our dedicated administration that plans all of our trips.
However my point would be at least have one show-style band in your line up that is all we ask.
The most show-style/ HBCU bands I saw was in the 2009 Inauguration parade.
ClevePVU said:
They are seen occasionally, certainly way more than the 80's and 90's.
Understand that we're not the only bands that exist. HBCUs and the high schools that tend to feed them make up a very small percentage of all the schools that can be invited.
You have to have a well-performing group with decent numbers, whatever the style. Most of the bigger parades require you to have 100 instrumentalists or more, and you have to send in a performance tape/clip to be reviewed by a panel of some sort before you can be invited. 32 kids that can only play Neck and ESPN (poorly) won't get looked at.
Sometimes the invites do come in, but somebody has to be there to answer the phone or open the mail. Not every envelope that comes in is a bill or something bad...
Moving a band on a trip is a large project. Bands, directors, administrators, and parents have to have a vision of what it takes to plan that kind of trip once you DO get invited. You have hotels, buses, planes, meals, and activities that have to be paid for...which means you have to raise funds, even in college to a certain degree. You can't be afraid to hustle, network, politick, etc. to get what you need for travel. Some bands do this year in, year out, even when they don't have a "big trip". That money can be used for uniforms, instruments, and scholarships.
Sorry for the long post, but that's what came to mind for your question. Anyone can feel free to add or argue what I have...
Why are mostly Showstyle or African American bands not shown more in major parades?
As I watched the Rose bowl and the Macys Day Parade I notice that I rarely see my type of marching bands that I have grown up to love. To all my HBCU…
Not many showbands are in the tournament of roses parade. I thought NCCU's band was supposed to be it in this year, don't know if they raised the money for it or fell short but i didn't see them, we were fortunate that George Lucas paid all our expenses because Doc Pannell wasn't going to pay to go to a damn parade out of the bands' account. It's very expensive to travel bands and black people are more family oriented and like being at home during the holidays. When we did the Rosebowl in 07 that was my first time being away from home during New Years Eve time but the week we stayed in Hollywood,Ca I got adjusted to it and that was became my best trip. It's not showbands don't get the air time, many just can't afford to go to the big parades.
becuase the media are steriotypes.they want to vision america as being pure and toned down.they dont want to display a crowd of folks get hyped up when a band plays neck.....the media wants to hear america the beautiful and stars and stripes.america is rooted near patriotism and they wanna keep it choral style and humble.THEY NEEDA STOP THAT CRAP.
The show bands tend to be more in demand. It really boils down to the money that's at a band's disposal.
Even ESPN and FSN, when they show our games, will at least mention the bands and halftime. They don't do that for the "bigtime" schools.
TV likes to show us performing. But they also like to show when we fall off, as well.
K.O.W (Tbone 4 Life) said:
becuase the media are steriotypes.they want to vision america as being pure and toned down.they dont want to display a crowd of folks get hyped up when a band plays neck.....the media wants to hear america the beautiful and stars and stripes.america is rooted near patriotism and they wanna keep it choral style and humble.THEY NEEDA STOP THAT CRAP.
Replies
Drizzle said:
Understand that we're not the only bands that exist. HBCUs and the high schools that tend to feed them make up a very small percentage of all the schools that can be invited.
You have to have a well-performing group with decent numbers, whatever the style. Most of the bigger parades require you to have 100 instrumentalists or more, and you have to send in a performance tape/clip to be reviewed by a panel of some sort before you can be invited. 32 kids that can only play Neck and ESPN (poorly) won't get looked at.
Sometimes the invites do come in, but somebody has to be there to answer the phone or open the mail. Not every envelope that comes in is a bill or something bad...
Moving a band on a trip is a large project. Bands, directors, administrators, and parents have to have a vision of what it takes to plan that kind of trip once you DO get invited. You have hotels, buses, planes, meals, and activities that have to be paid for...which means you have to raise funds, even in college to a certain degree. You can't be afraid to hustle, network, politick, etc. to get what you need for travel. Some bands do this year in, year out, even when they don't have a "big trip". That money can be used for uniforms, instruments, and scholarships.
Sorry for the long post, but that's what came to mind for your question. Anyone can feel free to add or argue what I have...
I know for AAMU MMW we had to get everyone involved to make our trip to the 2006 Rose Bowl possible. We had school administration, AAMU alumni associations throughout the U.S., many church organizations, commercials, and fun-raisers to help make our trip possible. We also had our dedicated administration that plans all of our trips.
However my point would be at least have one show-style band in your line up that is all we ask.
The most show-style/ HBCU bands I saw was in the 2009 Inauguration parade.
ClevePVU said:
The HBCUs ponied up that money for inauguration because it was Barack Obama. You're usually lucky to see one or two any other time.
Even ESPN and FSN, when they show our games, will at least mention the bands and halftime. They don't do that for the "bigtime" schools.
TV likes to show us performing. But they also like to show when we fall off, as well.
K.O.W (Tbone 4 Life) said:
1. consistency in the overall quality of the band...
2. Money...
BTW, Ballou High School and PVU were both in the Rose Parade last year.
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