The Homecoming game
against Barringer is being held this year at Paul Robeson Stadium
in East Orange on Thanksgiving Day (11/26/09). The band began
working on the half-time show in early November. Click HERE to see
the preparations for the show.
Today, once again, the
band is marching under the banner of the East Orange Unified
Marching Band because it contains band members from several
East Orange schools and not just Cicely Tyson School.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
The band members began
arriving at the school even before the 7:00 AM starting time.
They quickly got into their new uniforms for the very first time.
There were a few mix-ups, missing uniform parts, and fitting
problems, but considering at least 70 band members were present,
that wasn't too bad.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
The first band members to
line up ready for practice was the drumline. They followed Mr.
Rasheem Franklin outside to the parking lot and began to rehearse
for the show.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Meanwhile, the other band
members gathered in the band room under the leadership of Khalil
Welch to go over some music that needed fine tuning.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
At the same time, the
drumline is going over rhythms and formations out in the parking
lot as drumline director Rasheem Franklin beats out the tempo.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Here is the rest of the
drumline. Although we can't see his face, we know that Section
Leader David Friday is in the center of the photo with his back
to the camera. Only section leaders wear the bright red plumes on
their caps, and wear their capes gold side out (the other
drummers wear their capes black side out).
Photo by Jim Gerrish
Our photographer for the day, Al-Quadir Marsh,
not only took most of the still photos for this article, but also
helped out in many ways when students ran into difficulty
adjusting their uniforms. Ms Saez and I could always count on him
to help out whenever we needed it.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
By 9:00 AM the rest of the band had begun to
line up in the parking lot outside Cicely Tyson Community School.
In the background you can see band parents and alumni who helped
out not only with the rehearsals, but also provided security,
crowd control, and their much needed experience to assist our
students with their first really big football half-time show in
full dress uniform.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
By 9:30 AM the police escort arrived to
accompany the band in the parade to Campus High School.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
As the East Orange Police cleared the way with
flashing lights and sirens, the East Orange Unified Marching Band
headed from Cicely Tyson School to Campus High. There the alumni
groups joined the parade along with the Homecoming Court. Then
the entire parade headed back to Paul Robeson Stadium.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
The band arrived at the stadium just before kick
off time. They didn't just walk into their seats as they have
done in the past. This time their entrance was part of the show.
See Jim's video below.
Once the East Orange Band was in the stands,
they played for the the team and the Barringer Band with whom
they have long been friendly rivals.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Then as the Barringer Band played, the East
Orange drumline turned their backs on them as a way to show a way
of paying no attention to them. It's all in fun and many of the
other East Orange Band members had no idea what they were doing
or what it meant.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Many times the East Orange Band did not just
play, they also did actions that were almost like dancing. Then
the two Sousaphone players, Darian Bravo and Denzel Thomson,
jumped up on the bench and started to really dance. See
the video below for a sample:
At half time the East Orange Band marched over
to the 50 yard line on the Barringer side so they could begin the
half-time show. Most of the audience watched with interest as
they moved around the track into position. Then the Band marched
onto the field using the
routine they had been practicing all week and shown in the
video below.
Next, the Band knelt quietly on the field for
the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen. More information
is coming about that part of the show which was arranged by
Campus High School.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
After the crowning ceremony, the Band resumed
the half-time show as shown in the video below.
East Orange Mayor Robert L. Bowser (center)
shares a photo opportunity with the Homecoming Queen and her
court. Names to be added later. Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
After the half-time show, the Queen and her
"court" posed for photographs with Mayor Robert L.
Bowser.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
When the band went back to the stands, Jim and I
decided to go check out the Barringer Band.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Photo by Al-Quadir Marsh.
What is wrong with this picture? Look
at the ages of the Barringer High School Band
drumline and compare that to the ages of the East Orange
Unified Schools Marching Band drumline. Enough
said.
FOOTNOTE: East Orange Jaguars won, 41 - 14.
Text by Jim Gerrish and Al-Quadir Marsh.
Videography by Jim Gerrish. Photography by Al-Quadir Marsh.
Here is an additional Video of the Band made
by "waynetechnical" of CritterPlayTV.COM
