Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
With every high step and shimmy, the Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Pipers blew a medley of tunes for a Houston crowd at the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands with a drum rattle that made the crowd roar.
The band was one of eight that performed last weekend, and each received $50,000. The National Battle of the Bands is the largest African American event in Texas and has provided more than $1.3 million in scholarships for participating HBCUs.
“Our band is professional, entertaining, and disciplined! The overall academic average is 3.0, meaning we have well-rounded students,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, Tuskegee President and CEO who played the tuba while a Marching Crimson Pipers as a student. “I am impressed with the vision of Dr. Nicholas and the trajectory of our band -- the oldest HBCU band in the world!”
“Celebrating Champions of Culture” honored the legacy of HBCU marching bands and champions at NRG Stadium in Houston.
“This event helps to showcase our talent and encourage high schoolers to consider the Marching Crimson Pipers as their choice,” said Dr. J. William Nicholas, the university’s band director. “There is no question about our academic reputation, but when student musicians are looking for inspiration and considering a band that feels like home, these kinds of events help us to strut our stuff and draw them in. This weekend was an absolute triumph for the Marching Crimson Pipers.”
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