For the fourth time in its history, the Florida A&M Univversity marching band will parade down Pennsylvania Avenue for a presidential inauguration.The Presidential Inaugural Committee yesterday tapped the band for the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
"We're really excited," said Julian White, the band's director. "And now the work begins."
And they do have quite a bit of work.
The band has to raise an undetermined amount of money, believed to be at least $140,000, for the trip.
White is confident confident the community will turn out to help them.
"We went in 1993 and the community really came out and helped," he said. "It's a little more difficult financial time right now, but we're hopeful."
The 100rd had sent in DVDs, audiotapes and photos of their bands in September in hopes of being invited.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, issued a statement congratulating the Florida A&M band shortly after the announcement.
"This is an exciting opportunity for these young people to represent Florida during this historic event, and will be an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives," she said in the statement.
The invite caps off a stellar year for the 100rd which has already been featured on CNN, the CBS Evening News, and Sports Illustrated for Kids.
The 100rd has also been invited to the participate for in the Honda Battle of the Bands showcase. All that's left, now, for the 100rd to do is be invited to Super Bowl XLII in Tampa.
I-Parade meets Battle of the Bands
In this economy how are the FAMU 100 going to raise those funds? Obama should donate some of that $30 Million surplus from the campaign to help them out! They need to use their time prudently in order to practice for the big day.
ReplyDeleteGO RATTLERS! FAMU COL c/o '06
I also think that Obama's campaign should fund the trip. He campaigned at FAMU. So did his wife. However, I'm going to send a financial donation as soon as I get more details.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations FAMU's Marching 100! You're the greatest.
If Obama has to "fund" the 100's trip then he would have to "fund" everyone's trip... some of you people amaze me. Do you know how many college's and universities he spoke at, whose band may be in attendance.
ReplyDeleteWhile im all in favor of getting the bands trips funded, we have to carefully pick and choose our battles and this isnt one of them... this is once in a lifetime opportunity for our young rattlers and they need our support. I believe if that band in Daytona would have got the invite we would have been upset and complaning but they would be raising the funds to get there.
We as Rattlers... hell as citizens of the State of Florida... b/c they are the Florida reps... just need to get off our behinds and support the band.
Where do i send my check?
11:47,
ReplyDeleteWell said. We always want something for nothing !
I donated to Obama's campaign and I'd be proud to donate to FAMU. Just tell me where to send the check. RATTLERS STRIKE!!!!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Tallahassee Democrat, the trip, which includes three nights' lodging, will cost betw. 90K and 100K.
ReplyDeletewhy would the band need to stay 3 nights in DC, especially after participating in the Honda Battle of the Bands the weekend before?
ReplyDeleteThe Honda Battle of the Bands falls on the Saturday after the parade. I dont know how they gonna pull it off, but they got their work cut out for them.
ReplyDeleteParade on Tuesday
Honda on Saturday
Once they leave Tallahassee for DC, they probably wont come back until Honda is over... its gonna be a long, but exciting week for the babies.
Rattler Nation,
ReplyDeleteThere is a correction to be made in your story at the beginning. If the band participates in the parade, this would be their third parade. They participated for Clinton in 1993 and 1997.
I think the band will return to Tallahassee on Wednesday and then leave for Honda BOTB on Friday. They'll have three days in town. This is par for the course with traveling ensembles/athletics. Go Rattlers. Is it possible to get information on all the Rattlers sponsoring the trip? Will there be a Rattler Event while we're there. Fundraiser anyone. Maybe the D.C. Metro club and Alumni Chapter will be hosting something?
ReplyDelete10:23am,
ReplyDeleteThe '93 Clinton inaugural parade was actually the 100rd's 2nd I-Parade. Not, first.
so when was the first parade they did?
ReplyDeleteI sent my $500. Anybody matching?
ReplyDelete12:23,
ReplyDeleteThe 1961 Inaugural Parade of President John F. Kennedy was the 100's first I-Parade appearance.
For the Super Bowl, I believe they practiced with Prince on Thursday in Miami, had to come back to Tally, then left for Miami again sometime that weekend.
ReplyDelete