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HU Marching Band to perform in the Inaugural Parade
President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inaugural Committee officially extended an offer to Hampton University Marching Force to participate in the 56th Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20. The Force is one of three Virginia groups to participate in the parade. The other groups are T.C. Williams High School Army JROTC in Alexandria and the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets in Lexington.
"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," said President-elect Obama. "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade."
The Force is made up 225 members. There are 10 instrumental sections and two dance groups, Ebony Fire and Silky. They will perform four songs in the parade: "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite March" by Karl King; "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead; "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang; and Obama's campaign song, "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" by Stevie Wonder.
HU Band Director Alfred Davis said this is a wonderful opportunity and the students are extremely excited. “It is a great honor to picked as the only band from Virginia to perform in the Inaugural Parade,” he said.
“It made us feel good about who we are and what we do, for us to be selected [for the Inaugural Parade],” said HU Assistant Drum Major Curtis Mason, a junior music education major. “Everybody was yelling Obama, Obama ... getting hyped and enthused.”
-Yuri Rodgers Milligan