Special to West Orlando News Online
By Karsceal Turner
Ask most football patrons what they enjoy most about attending Historically Black College and University (HBCU) football games and you’ll likely get descriptions of barbeque cookouts, tail-gating, and much camaraderie. Still, the spectacle of all spectacles for this widely beloved event is the band.
For the uninitiated, among Black college marching bands, Bethune-Cookman’s band is known as the “Marching Pride.” They are a 325 member band complete with sections devoted to Brass, woodwinds, and percussion, 14 flag bearers and auxiliary dancers, better known as the 14-carat gold dancers. There are a total of 265 instruments with students trained in the finest musicianship.
Halftime is Game TIME!
At an HBCU, halftime is game time. None of the members of a given marching band mesmerizes fans in the stands more than the Drum Major. Although Drum Majors appear to dance, gyrate, manipulate the mace (Baton), and perform a perfect backbend with the greatest of ease, it isn’t easy becoming a Drum Major at Bethune-Cookman University.
The philosophy of B-CU’s five Drum Majors could be compared to the motto of the fictional Atlanta A&T Band in the 20th Century fox film ‘Drumline.’ B-CU’s band embraces “one band, one sound” theme, naturally. This adage especially applies to the drum majors.
B-CU director of Bands Donovan Wells said there may be as many as 15 former Drum Majors within any freshman class in his program. “You can always tell who has aspirations of being a Drum Major,” he chuckled.
According to Wells, B-CU Drum Major prerequisites include, proper academic standing as there are many extra hours put in for routines and performances. “Drum Majors are held to G.P.A 2.75 and higher,” he said.
Good standing in the band and a minimum of one year must be achieved within one instrument section, (no freshman is able to come in and become a DM). In good standing as a musician entails arriving on time, pulling your weight, and exhibiting overall excellence.
“We want enthusiasm, passion and attentiveness. We look at how well you are received by other band members and how you are respected by them. It certainly isn’t a popularity contest. There is a big difference in being popular and being respected,” Wells added. Academics are a big part of the program and success. They must write an essay and endure an interview where they are interrogated. The number of Drum Majors is dependent on the size of the band. In addition, Drum Majors must all attend camp each summer which lasts from six to nine weeks. Many take classes to aide in their matriculation from college.
Wells also noted that, in addition to the above prerequisites, they must also audition well. Audition includes, twirling of the baton or Mace, posture, whistle commands, vocal commands and how well they remember things and hold a tempo is crucial.
“Timing is crucial, consistency is also crucial. There are a variety of tests individually and as a group. Can you work alone and together with the other drum majors? We need everyone blended together,” he added.
“Really it is Mr. Ernest Hamilton who works with the drum majors and is contracted to us during marching season. He oversees not only the Drum Majors but also the 14-carat gold dancers, and Flag Corps. He is an invaluable part of our team here at B-CU,” Wells said.
B-CU Horsemen Speak Up
Two members of B-CU’s “Fabulous Five Horsemen” gave an account of their experiences while serving as current drum majors. Between them, Michael Crane and Louis Owens have nearly a decade of marching and drum major experience. The two have mastered their instruments of choice but desired to serve in leadership positions under the premise of constituting one marching unit.
The 2012 Drum Major unit of Bethune-Cookman University Marching Pride consists of Javaris Gooding-Butts, Louis Owens, Marcel Lewis, Rashaun Phillips, and Michael Crane.
Crane is a 21-year-old Biology major from Atlanta, GA where he was also a Drum Major at Morrow High School. Now a junior at B-CU, Crane was inspired as a child watching B-CU Drum Majors on television. He vowed to one day become one.
“I knew that I was going to become one of those guys I used to see on television,” he said, then offers advice. “If this is what you want to do you must keep pushing and become better in your craft.” Crane’s instrument of choice before becoming a Drum Major was the Euphonium, better known as the Baritone.
Crane is also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc (Gamma Theta Chapter), when he is not involved in his band duties. After graduation, he plans on returning to Georgia to teach.
Louis Owens is the man on the fifty-yard line for the horsemen. The 22-year-old Music Education major hails from Fayetteville, N.C. Owens is a devout Mason and also a member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Owens, whose instrument of choice is the saxophone, has aspirations of returning to the professional Bowling tour a second time. His ultimate goal is becoming a teacher too.
Great Article Phi! Being a Marching Wildcat/Horsemen is a learning experience from day one until graduation! Proud to say that the 2012 Squad upheld traditional values and made a name for themselves as TRUE LEADERS!
IReminds me of the Vikings band in okc