Marching Bands Compete For Inauguration Gig
One of the fiercest competitions in the country is under way right now. The prize is one of the coveted spots to march in the inaugural parade. Some 1,300 marching bands have battled for a slot to represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Already, some of the winners have been announced, but no word yet on who will represent the nation's capital. Washington, D.C., has some of the strongest marching bands in the nation — and they all want to represent their hometown for President-elect Barack Obama.
Ballou Senior High School is one of them. The O-Jay's "Love Train" is new in the band's repertoire — Ballou's director Darrell Watson added it when he heard it at a rally for Obama last year. And his Majestic Marching Knights of Ballou High want badly to play it for the president-elect on Jan. 20. Very badly.
Some outsiders know Ballou High School as a troubled place in the tough southeast area of D.C. A student shot and killed a schoolmate at Ballou four years ago. But inside, the students know Ballou differently. Cheer and friendliness pervade its hallways. The band is headed for next year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl. Now they want to add Jan. 20 to their calendar.
The marching bands in D.C. are intensely competitive, but they're also close-knit. Ask James Perry, director of the marching band at D.C.'s Eastern Senior High School. "Each time we see each other, we try to raise the bar," says Perry. "It's really a joy to have someone like them around because they're great competitors, and also they're great friends."
Eastern is one of Ballou's chief competitors for a spot in the inaugural parade. And that doesn't even count powerhouse Howard University. Their band wants in, too.
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STEVE INSKEEP, host:
If you thought the election was intense, consider the competition under way now. The prize is a coveted spot to march in the inaugural parade next month. About 1,300 marching bands have battled to represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Some winners have been announced already, but there is no word yet on who will represent the nation's capital. NPR's Libby Lewis reports.
LIBBY LEWIS: Washington, D.C., has some of the strongest marching bands in the nation, and they all want to represent their hometown for President-elect Barack Obama.
Mr. DARRELL WATSON: (Director, Majestic Marching Knights, Ballou Senior High School) Everyone, have a seat. Have a seat.
LEWIS: Ballou High School is one of them. Darrell Watson is director of Ballou's marching band.
Mr. WATSON: All right, normal routine for today. We're going to split up in sectionals. What are the songs I wanted you to work on?
Unidentified Students: "Conquistador."
Mr. WATSON: "Conquistador."
Unidentified Students: "Coming to America."
Mr. WATSON: "Coming to America."
Unidentified Students: "Love Train."
Mr. WATSON: "Love Train," of course.
LEWIS: The O-Jay's "Love Train" is new in the band's repertoire. Watson added it when he heard it at a rally for Obama last year. And his Majestic Marching Knights of Ballou High want badly to play it for the president-elect on January 20 - very badly.
Mr. WATSON: One, two, ready, play.
(Soundbite of Majestic Marching Knights performing song "Love Train")
LEWIS: It's a little rough now, but they're working on it. Are you listening, judges? Some outsiders know Ballou High School as a troubled place in a tough southeast area. A student shot and killed a schoolmate at Ballou four years ago. But inside, these students know Ballou differently. Cheer and friendliness pervade its hallways. Stephanie Stewart(ph), a Ballou junior who's in the band's dance squad, says Ballou's image is one reason why she wants Ballou to be in the parade.
Ms. STEPHANIE STEWART (Student, Ballou Senior High School): Most people know Ballou as a criminal school. And that's not what we're about. So people, when they see us, that's giving us more exposure out there to know that just kids our age are doing stuff - are doing things with our life instead of doing stuff bad.
LEWIS: The band is headed for next year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and the Rose Bowl. They want to add January 20 to their calendar.
Mr. WATSON: For a school that, you know, people say couldn't do this, couldn't do that, and didn't have this and, you know, still struggling to get this, we've come a long way. And it's really the story of President-elect Barack Obama. You know, we're looking for a new change, a new era here, a rebirth within the school. And we're just trying to follow in the footsteps. It's almost like we are Barack Obama.
LEWIS: The marching bands in D.C. are intensely competitive, but they're also close-knit. Ask James Perry, director of the marching band at D.C.'s Eastern High School. Eastern's one of Ballou's chief competitors for a spot in the inaugural parade.
Mr. JAMES PERRY (Director, Eastern High School Marching Band): And each time we see each other, we just try to raise the bar. And you know, we get together and talk a load of smack. You know, we're going to get you this week or, you know, y'all got us last time, but we'll get you this time. So it's really a joy to have someone like them around because they're great competitors, and also they're great friends.
LEWIS: And Perry says that's the way it is with a lot of the bands in D.C.
Mr. PERRY: It's all in fun. But you know, at the end of the day, of course, we want to come out on top.
LEWIS: So does Darrell Watson at Ballou.
Mr. WATSON: I do want it. We all do. I mean, who doesn't?
LEWIS: And that doesn't even count powerhouse Howard University. Their band wants in, too. Howard band director John Newson.
Dr. JOHN NEWSON (Director of Bands, Howard University): Well, we don't have to make the decision. That's the only good part about it.
LEWIS: Truly. Libby Lewis, NPR News, Washington.
(Soundbite of song "Love Train")
THE O'JAYS: (Singing) People all over the world, Join hands, Start a love train, Love train. People all over the world, Join hands, Start a love train, Love train.
INSKEEP: This is NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.
