FAMU's Marching 100 to Join Prince at Super Bowl

By Black College Wire

The Florida A&M University Marching 100 is preparing to take the field with music superstar Prince during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

Band members said the invitation to perform Feb. 4 at the NFL's biggest event came as a result of the 2006 Grammys, where members of the Marching 100 shared the stage with entertainers Kanye West and Jamie Foxx.

"From what I understand, it was Prince who invited us," said Chandler Wilson, 22, a music education student from Miami. "He saw the band at the Grammys and wanted to know who the band was," Wilson said.

It was unclear when the band was officially invited, but Wilson, the band president, said he was informed Dec. 14 at the university's fall commencement ceremony.

Exactly what Prince and the 100 will perform is not being disclosed.

"We cannot divulge any aspects of what the show contains," said Julian White, director of bands.

The performance almost did not happen.

"Dr. Bryant expressed reservations about us attending the performance, but our alumni came through and fought for us to be able to go," Wilson said, speaking of Castell V. Bryant, the university's interim president.

University officials declined to discuss Bryant's reservations. "The details of the contract are still being resolved with Super Bowl officials, but we do expect the band to perform," said Pamela Bryant, special assistant to the president.

Super Bowl XL was watched by more than 141 million viewers in the United States last year. It is annually the nation's highest-rated TV program and the most watched single-day sporting event. The game will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories, according to a news release.

Super Bowl XLI will not be the 100's first appearance at the big game.

The Super Bowl Web site shows this to be the band's third halftime show performance and fourth appearance at the event.

The band appeared as a solo halftime performer at Super Bowls III and V. The 100 also performed before the game at Super Bowl XXXIX.

"I am proud and elated that the Marching 100 has been extended the honor to perform at the Super Bowl," White said. "It is a great honor for the band and for the university."

On Jan. 1, the Grambling State University marching band provided the accompanying music as 200 "Star Wars" Imperial Stormtroopers marched in formation at the Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena, Calif., before an estimated 1 million spectators.

This story originated at the Famuan at Florida A&M University.

Posted Jan. 23, 2007

Source here

Cool.

And... 5000 posts.

....thanks 4 confirming this logical impression TrueBeauty~glad they worked it out.....let's C how it plays out on the world stage....(mayB he'll go back 2 college like Tommie did )

B

what does it mean?

Now... what song would sound great with a marching band? Hmmmm...

SOTT?

squirrelgrease said:

truefunksoldier said:

squirrelgrease said:

Now... what song would sound great with a marching band? Hmmmm...

SOTT?

We March.

squirrelgrease said:

theoriginalQueenB said:

....thanks 4 confirming this logical impression TrueBeauty~glad they worked it out.....let's C how it plays out on the world stage....(mayB he'll go back 2 college like Tommie did )

B

squirrelgrease said:

__________________________
Ze belong ere in Mozambique...

http://www.crashthesuperb...video/4955
http://www.vimeo.com/ufoclub1977/videos
http://www.myspace.com/ufoclub1977

ufoclub said:

truefunksoldier said:

squirrelgrease said:

Now... what song would sound great with a marching band? Hmmmm...

SOTT?

We March.

ufoclub said:

GangstaFam said:

So he's copying again? He couldn't even find another band that hadn't just been used on a high profile occasion. This does not make me happy.

Anyway, can't wait!

SynthiaRose said:

So he's copying again? He couldn't even find another band that hadn't just been used on a high profile occasion. This does not make me happy.

Anyway, can't wait!

SynthiaRose said:

So he's copying again? He couldn't even find another band that hadn't just been used on a high profile occasion. This does not make me happy.

Anyway, can't wait!

This is definitely going to be interesting to see. I think this is going to be one Hell of a performance.

Can't wait to see *this*!!

I just had a bad vision of the "Let's Go Crazy" beat with a full marching band then the riff comes in with the horns instead of guitar and synths.. oh no let's go.. please no...

FAMU is the ish! That's where I wanted to go to college and be in the band!But that didn't happen...

I've often wondered if construction of a red lightsaber takes place before you can become a Republican, or is it something you do after initiation. Dah, well...

Housequake would sound pretty funky with a band! I just hope they are only a
small part of the show. I would personally like to see him rip up a live version of America! (Like he did in the video)

I'm so excited, y'all. The 100 & Prince r gonna put it down!!!

Adisa said:

FAMU is the ish! That's where I wanted to go to college and be in the band!But that didn't happen...

I think he will do get on the boat and the word with the band. Otherwise they could disclose the music...already arranged and available for band. Seems to me Mr Nelson must have been busy arranging a piece for marching band. Perhaps the reason he couldn't get to the globes on time?<---just kidding!

DA BEARS AND PRINCE

ITS GONNA BE AWESOME

GO BEARS!!

Maybe he's gonna do Gwen Stefani's "Wind It Up"

Yodelehi Yodelehi Hoo

LQ

LadyQ said:

Not sure how well this will work, but since I was born in Tallahassee, just a few miles from the FAMU campus, I am very proud of what has to be one of the best Marching Bands in all of the United States. The Marching 100 also continue one of the best traditions among College Bands. Actually being funky. Get this, a marching band having funk. No Wonder Prince invited them.