£SU ARCrUVES
The Broncos’ Voice
of Fayetteville State University
\^lunie VlII, Issue 6
'TO INFORM, EDUCATE,‘"INSPIRE, AND ENTERTAIN’
Fsll liOOl EDITION
More Region Students Joining Band
By Y. Chuck Carr
Staff Writer
When marching bands from
opposing schools such as Winston-
Salem State Universit)' and North
Carohna Central University visit
Fayette\'ille State, their squads are
loaded w ith students from
Cumberland and surrounding areas.
Things may be changing.
Dr. Harold Bray, director of bands
at FSU. said pla\ers w ho normally
w ould disregard Fayette\ ille State
for other marching band programs are
beginnmg to realize w hat FSU has to
offer and are opting to stay home.
The proof is in the number of
plavers from E.E. Smith. Seventy-
First. Westover and other
surroundmg schools. According to
Bray, since he arrived three years
ago. there has been a 60 percent
mcrease m the number of
Cumberland Count\' students in the
band. The reason for this change of
heart'’ They w ant to be part of a
grow ing program that's gaining
respect,
"What we are finding is that the
high school students seem to think
w e are doing some things correctly."
Bray said. "Students like to be
identified w ith something they enjoy
doing. It seems like it‘s organized,
classy and has high standards. We
want to attract from here first then
branch out. It all starts with the
product."
The product Bra\’ put on the field
against Elizabeth Cit>' State
University is testimony. The color
guard unit sported new uniforms.
The band w ore uniforms purchased
last year. Bra\' attributes the surge in
local interest not onh to current
m
m
Marching Bronco Band looking to add more musicians from area high schools.
members w ho ha\ e dedicated
themselves to the program, but to
the universit\'. When recruiting, he
expounds on the things the school
has to otTer.
"We tr\' to see if w e have
something the student is interested in
... a major or course offerings." Bray
said. "Then we tell about the band
component and how it relates to the
school."
This N’ear's band consists of
approximateh' 90 members. The
numbers may not be w hat Bray
wants, but he's pleased with the
students he has. Brav admits he
would like to have a larger band, but
he's not w illing to sacrifice qualit\
for quantity.
"Let the record show I w ould like
to have the numbers increase." he
said. "I would love to have more
number but not at the demise of
class, skill and organization. "Small
numbers doesn’t mean the quality’ is
less. I feel the numbers w ill come.
We want to have the numbers, but I
want my band to look better getting
off the bus than most bands look on
the field."
Bray has already' been w orking
hard to bring those numbers up since
he arrived three years ago. He
believes a factor in getting support
for the band is b> playing music to
suit all tastes. This year, you can
expect to hear some hip-hop mixed
with a little rh\ thm and blues and
pop.
"We have the responsibilitv’ to
educate the audience." he said. "Our
vehicle for educating is through the
music. The intent is to be
entertaining ... to use this vehicle as
an educational tool to do things in a
classy way."
Another w ay to build a better
band is through communits’ outreach.
Bra\' said. The band has established
a mentor-t\ pe program w ith
neighboring E.E. Smith High SchooFs
Magnificent Marching Machine. E.E.
Smith band director. Roosevelt
Pratt, served as Brav's assistant last
\ear
During the summer. FSU band
members assisted E.E. Smith with its
band camp. Bra\’ also pro\ ides sheet
music to the E.E. Smith band to help
build its repertoire. Such
partnerships benefit both programs.
Bra\' said.
The outreach efforts stretched
beyond Cumberland Countv 's
boarders. Over the summer. Bra\’
used FSU band members to assist
him during a band clinic in Chicago.
The clinic featured 69 high school
marching bands.
"The responsibilits' and goal and
mission is to prov ide educational
services wherever we go." Bray said.
Bray demonstrated his goals to
make his marching band a program of
which the uni\ ersit\' and community
could be proud.
Prior to the Elizabeth City State
game. Bra\' met with men from
Fayetteville w ho w ere not affiliated
with the university' but had an
interest in the school. The men. all
between the ages of 20 and 30. were
concerned that the onh’ time they
got a chance to support the school
w as during the homecoming parade.
The\’ talked w ith Bray and came up
w ith the idea to assist the band. The
men. all w hom own motorcycles,
will serv e as escorts for the Bronco
Strutters, the band’s dance troupe.
"I thought that would be positiv e
for the band program, school and
See Band Page 4
Convocation Speaker Urges
Students To Reach Success
By Ebony Stonewall
StaffWriter
"Class of 2005. you’re the best that
li e \-e got and the -whole world is
wailing and watching for yon. Sever
give up!"-PatriciaRnssell-McCloiid
Fall Convocation was held m the
James W. Seabrook Auditorium Sept.
6.
Freshmen crow ded the auditorium
in their professional attire and their
Sunda\- best. The stage was dressed
w ith greener)' and bouquets of fresh
flowers. Everv'one stood for the
presentation of the colors and the
academic procession. Faculty members
and administrators were dressed in
academic regalia. The concert band,
under the direction of Dr. Harold Bray,
and the university choir, directed by
Dr Marvin Curtis, were set to perform.
The scene w as a clear indication that
the 2001-02 academic school year has
begun.
Before Dr. Patricia Russell
McCloud spoke, there were several
introductions and welcomes by Dr.
Perry Massey, provost and vice
chancellor for academic affairs. The
class of 2005 was asked to stand. The
Rev. David Morrison, pastor of St.
Luke AME Zion Church in
Fayetteville, delivered the prayer.
Greetinas were extended bv'
Cumberland County's legislative
delegation. The Honorable Breeden
Blackwell, vice chairman of the
Cumberland County Board of
Commissioners, gave the program
goers, especiallv' the freshmen, some
advice.
"As I said last year. I always love
to come here because I can dress up."
Blackw ell joked. "As freshmen, if \'ou
fail to plan, you plan to fail."
James M. Paige, immediate past
president of the FSU National Alumni
Association, told freshmen about the
importance of integrity.
"Freshmen, start preparing for your
future. Be fair and truthful." he said.
Dr. Peter Valenti, an English
professor and 2001 Teacher of the
Year, lead the audience in the recitation
of the "Litany of Rededication”
Then, the freshman class was
treated to the words of McCloud.
McCloud, a renowned author and
speaker, got evers one’s attention with
an explosive introduction.
"Go for it! On your mark. Get set.
Go!" she said.
McCloud is internationally known
as a professional orator. She has been
listed in Black Enterprise magazine as
one of the top five business motivators
in America. A native of Indianapolis.
Ind.. she is a graduate of Kentucky
State Universitv' and Howard
Universitv' School of Law . She is also
the recipient of the NAACP Education
and Legal Defense Aw ard and a life
member of the NAACP and Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority.
"In college, quarters are like gold
and the bookstore bill can equal \ our
tuition.'’ she said. "You can know
evenlhing and still fail the test. E-mail
vv ill be your second language. You learn
that 4 o’clock really does come twice a
day and Mac ’N’ Cheese is a real meal”
McCloud had the audience’s
attention and kept them laughing
throughout with her powerful and
confident voice.
"It takes more than a posse to play
the game of life because once vou play,
somebody will move the bases."
McCloud said.
She also stressed the importance of
not settling for mediocrity.
"A grade C w ill not see v ou through.
Turn stumbling blocks into stepping
stones." she said.
McCloud’s most recent book." 'A
Is For Attitude: An Alphabet for
Living." uses the alphabet as a
blueprint for a successful life that
inspires you to reach your highest
potential.
"A is for altitude. Altitude is for
how high you are going to fly ... Z is
See Speaker Page 4
Greeks want to be know n for more than just step])ing. ' ' o'"
Community Service
The Aim Of Greeks
By Daw n Redrick
And Toshanika Moore
Staff Writers
It is a shared belief that African
American fraternities and sororities
play a major role in the shaping of our
black communities. Thev' produce a
new' generation of leaders.
This year proves no different as
these young brothers and sisters
support each other, the community
and nation.
The focus of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority'. Inc., is the African American
community and sisterhood.
"We have a coat drive approaching
in October as well as a campus
cleanup." said Renata Turner,
president of the Delta Alpha Chapter
of Alpha Kappa Alpha at Fay etteville
State University. "Social events that
can be expected b\' the campus are
more parties and programs on
important issues such as domestic
violence and breast cancer aw areness.
We will also have sisterly' relation
workshops to promote unitv m the
chapter.''
See Greeks Page 4