I will first turn the spotlight to an HBCU Marching Band, Florida A&M's Marching 100. While FAMU's dark recent past is well documented, their contributions to marching/athletic music are undeniable. The Marching 100, largely under the direction of director William P. Foster for over half a century, were the gold standard of all marching bands - not just HBCU bands - and set the bar high for all, not the least of whom being themselves as they rebuild from tragedy. The 100 were also the first, and to date the only HBCU band to win the Sudler Trophy.
The Marching 100 are seen here marching in President Obama's inugural parade in 2009. This was not their first, as they appeared in both of President Clinton's parades. The 100 were also not the only black college band in the parade of America's first black president, as they were joined in march by Delaware State's Approaching Storm, Hampton's Marching Force, Howard's Showtime, and Grambling's World-Famed Tiger Marching Band, as well as a number of historically black high school bands.
Read more about the Marching 100 from 80 Minutes of Regulation here.
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