A Black College Tradition Comes to LU
Marching band makes its debut on campus
Allycia White
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News
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The Orange Crush Roaring Lion Marching Band made its debut on campus this year, bringing Lincoln University in line with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that have long boasted of their marching bands.
Lincoln's marching band has already performed in a number of parades and competitions. Under the direction of Professor H. Wade Johnson, the band consists of Lincoln instrumentalists, dancers and color guard.
Unlike it's HBCU counterparts, Lincoln has never had a marching band. Among the best HBCU marching bands, such as Southern University in Louisiana, Bethune Cookman College in Florida and Norfolk State University in Virginia, the Orange Crush models after the high-stepping marching style made most popular in these and many other black southern schools.
"This brings us one step closer to other highlighted HBCUs with bands and football teams," says Ayanna Polk, an instrumentalist in the band.
"The Orange Crush Roaring Lion Marching Band is up and running", says the band's director, Professor Johnson.
The band has up to 70 members who travel to various venues like the recent "Battle of the Bands" in Norristown, PA. Though the band is small in numbers, the student body's response to the Orange Crush has been positive.
"Honestly, I think that the band is a great addition," said sophomore Erica Douglas, "It brings the authentic quality to a black campus."
In addition to the marching band, Lincoln University also has a football team which will makes its debut on campus in 2009.
"Being apart of the band makes me feel like I'm apart of a living legacy," says Dominique Johnson, another instrumentalist.
Since the beginning of the semester the band has participated in a number of events and recently made an appearance at Lincoln's Homecoming Parade.
Lincoln's marching band has already performed in a number of parades and competitions. Under the direction of Professor H. Wade Johnson, the band consists of Lincoln instrumentalists, dancers and color guard.
Unlike it's HBCU counterparts, Lincoln has never had a marching band. Among the best HBCU marching bands, such as Southern University in Louisiana, Bethune Cookman College in Florida and Norfolk State University in Virginia, the Orange Crush models after the high-stepping marching style made most popular in these and many other black southern schools.
"This brings us one step closer to other highlighted HBCUs with bands and football teams," says Ayanna Polk, an instrumentalist in the band.
"The Orange Crush Roaring Lion Marching Band is up and running", says the band's director, Professor Johnson.
The band has up to 70 members who travel to various venues like the recent "Battle of the Bands" in Norristown, PA. Though the band is small in numbers, the student body's response to the Orange Crush has been positive.
"Honestly, I think that the band is a great addition," said sophomore Erica Douglas, "It brings the authentic quality to a black campus."
In addition to the marching band, Lincoln University also has a football team which will makes its debut on campus in 2009.
"Being apart of the band makes me feel like I'm apart of a living legacy," says Dominique Johnson, another instrumentalist.
Since the beginning of the semester the band has participated in a number of events and recently made an appearance at Lincoln's Homecoming Parade.
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