Florida A&M’s acclaimed Marching 100, along with other HBCU bands such as Grambling State University, will pay tribute to HBCUs while performing before Sunday’s NBA All Star game in Atlanta.
The Marching 100 and other bands will perform during the NBA All-Star player introductions from their respective historical campuses. During the All-Star Game, the NBA will pay tribute to the importance of HBCUs through music and content.
“We are ecstatic about the FAMU incomparable Marching ‘100’ performing for the NBA All-Star basketball game festivities,” band director Shelby Chipman told FAMU Forward. “Our students are going to present an amazing show with exciting music and creative choreography. The ‘100’ will be spectacular, and we can’t wait.”
While this performance will mark the Marching 100’s third national appearance this year, members are still thrilled each time they are selected for a new opportunity.
“I was super excited for the opportunity. Being on a national stage like the NBA All Star game is rewarding for the music program here at FAMU as well as just personally. I remember seeing the NBA Instagram page post that we will be performing and the response from students, family, alumni and just fans of the program also excited for us and I was just proud to be a part of this organization.” said Graham Harris, a third year music performance student.
When members are not dedicating themselves to perfecting their craft, they are finding ways to balance their social life, practice and school work.
“A big part of being in the Marching 100 is time management. Balancing practice and school work for me is just finding time from classes and practice and using that to get done what needs to be done, whether it’s homework, personal practice on my instrument, or just relaxing for a few minutes,” Harris said.
Cameron Morrell, a fourth year music industry major, was among 35 members of the band selected to play during the NBA All- Star game. Morrell is the percussion section leader. He plays the snare drum.
Morrell looks most forward to this experience because it will open even more doors and opportunities for the band.
“I’m most looking forward to being a representative of what I believe to be the best band in the land on an amazing national platform while showing the country and world how great we are as well,” Morrell said.
The NBA media team is scheduled to arrive in Tallahassee today to record the Marching 100’s selection.
TNT’s coverage of the pre-game festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday.