Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Dec. 9, 1992, edition 1 / Page 4
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4 The Compass Wednesday, Decembers, 1992 PltoiobjViknSf^ I i» On the move and in the groove: ECSU's Mighty Marching Band By Steven C. Cooke "B AND!" the drum major I cried. "WJMT/"theband mem bers answered, in unison. "ATTEN-HUT!" "E-C-S-U" These words resounded across cam pus as the mighty Elizabeth City State University Marching Band prepared to head to Roebuck Stadium to perform at the Homecoming game on Ort. 31. With four shrill whistles and four stick clicks from the drummers, a driving ca dence began, and the band marched wi th fierce intensity to the field. Led by drum majors Tim Mosley and A1 Chandler—and under the direction of Dr. Gary L. Callahan and Assistant Band Director Mr. L. Anthony Johnson—^the band performed such songs as 1 LC's "Baby-Baby-Baby," "Never Satisfied" by Good to Go, Michael Jackson's "TKriller," "In The Stone" by Ea^ Wind and Fire, R. Kelley's "Honey Love" andpartsof "They Want EFX" by rappers Das EFX. With their characteristic precision marching drillsand music,combined with the dazzling flag routines and the vividly choreographed dance routines, the Marching Vikings have performed excit ing shows not only at home but at schools such as NC Central, Bowie State, and The University of Kentucky against Central State of Ohio. Since Callahan's first year here in 1990 the band has increased from 35 members tol02 members in 1992. Not all of the members are music majors, all majore on campus are represented in the band Partofthereasonfortheband'sgrowth lies in the large size of this year's fresh man class, said Callahan. "We've gone from three trumpets to SIX trumpets to fifteen," Callahan said. The band s larger size allows for "more music and better drill patterns," and "givesabetterlookand sound," headded The larger size of the band makes the tend better able to perform when mem bers are out sick, said Callahan. "It's not as critical when people miss practice " he said. From adirecting standpoint, the larger size makes Callahan's job more difficult since having more members "makes it harder to manage." However Callahan is quick to add, "It's also more exciting." More membersalso enhances "thequal- ity of musical performance," according to assistant band director Johnson. "Addingmoreupperandmiddlebrass gives more power to the chords in the song," Johnson explained. "The more upper woodwinds gives sti-ength in ac centing the stiing-like parts of the music andmoreowerbrassgivesmoreflexibil- itymbasslinespattems.Moredrummers ^tter^°' rhythmic ^th Callahan and Johnson praise the dedication of band members 'They work long and hard to make the btudent band members say the band is TIk band instils a little bie of spirit in the school," says Jo Ann Johnikins,aj®’ ior business major who plays darinet. In addition to enhancing the scboo image,ECSU'smarchingbandalsosen' as one of the universit/s most en^ biggest recruitment tools, say Cal and Johnson. "This year the band has even visibility," said Johnson, have traveled more." This year the has played at games as far away as tucky and Maryland. , | Playing in the band isn't easy. Stu band members must practice an and a half daily five days a week “ Marching Band season. They also night practice from seven to nine p So why do students do it? | "I got interested in band wanted to dance and play," saw Alec Harding, who plays trumpet o Harding said he was also ^ the band's "high-stepping" ^ ing. His high school band nnardi "corp" style, he added.
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