MARYLAND’S OWN DRUMLINE LIVE AND IN ACTION

WITNESS THE 2ND ANNUAL PRINCE GEORGE’S CLASSIC
BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Event at University of Maryland’s Cole Field House, 7pm on Friday, October 7, 2005

On Friday, October 7, seven show style marching bands from schools across Maryland and Washington, DC will compete in the 2nd Annual Prince George’s Classic Battle of the Bands at the University of Maryland’s Colefield House at 7pm. Largo High School, C.H. Flowers High School, Ballou High School, Crossland High School, Milford Mill Academy High School, Oxon Hill High School and Bowie State University will showcase their skills with a stirring, spectacular display of choreography and musicianship.

In other words, spectators will see the bands rock the rafters of the Cole Field House with the rousing sounds of the horns, rhythmic heart-thumping beats of the drumline and exhilarating high-stepping dance moves. The musical competition between bands of Football teams is a historic tradition that always steals the show.
The 2nd Annual “Prince George’s Classic is more than a football game. The Prince George’s Classic Battle of the Bands is one of many events featured in the four day celebration (10/6-10/9/05) of sports, culture and community hosted by the Prince George’s Black Chamber of Commerce (PGBCC). This year’s match-up pits the Morgan State University Bears, led by head coach Donald Hill-Eley, against the North Carolina A&T Aggies, led by head coach George Small. Kick-off at FedEx Field will be 4:00 pm.

Battle of the Band tickets are $10 in advance, $10 for students at the door with valid ID and $15 for adults. Battle of the Band and Game tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone, 202-397-SEAT, 703-397-SEAT, and 410-547-SEAT or at the door.

The Second Annual Prince George’s Classic is sponsored by State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, FedEx, Comcast, Southwest Airlines, Chrysler Jeep, Columbia Bank, Radio One, Afro American Newspapers, Informer, WEAA 88.9, B&W Solutions and Black Sports Magazine.

The Marching Band Roster:

Milford Mill Academy High School
The Milford Mill Academy Spartan Marching Band, under the leadership of Mr. James T. Gough, Band Director, is from Baltimore, Maryland. The Spartan Band has traveled throughout the United States performing at many venues such as: The Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Wizards. Milford Mill has won numerous awards and accolades at many collegiate homecomings up and down the East Coast. In 1997, the Spartan Band had the honor of touring the African nations of Ghana, Senegal, and The Ivory Coast.

Oxon Hill High School
The Oxon Hill High School Marching Clippers Band is under the director of Walter A. Harley. Proud Champions of the 2004 Asymmetrical High Stepping National Championship, the Oxon Hill High School Marching Band is the recipient of 1st Place, placing 1st in Music, 1st in Marching, 1st in Flags, and 1st in Majorettes.

Bowie State University
Bowie State University’ “Symphony Of Soul” Marching Band, under the direction of Adolph Wright, traveled to Montreal Quebec (Canada) where they have performed the past three years for the Montreal Alouettes, the Canadian League Football Champions. They were also a part of the NFL season opener a year ago as they performed the National Anthem with “Aretha Franklin” and shared the stage with other recording artist such as “Aerosmith”, Brittney Spears, Mary J. Bliege, and others.The “Symphony Of Soul” Marching Band was featured in the Original Battle of the Bands held at RFK Stadium and its Drumline was named as one of Showtime Magazines top ten amongst HBCU’s.

Largo High School
Under the direction of Mr. Diron Dorn and Mr.Walter Duberry Largo Senior High School’s Roaring Machine blends musicality, precision marching, and showmanship all into one entertaining package. Over the past year the band has performed at numerous political events, parades, competitions and of course at games to support the Largo Lions football and basketball teams. What makes this band unique is that the band is student driven. They are the writers, and the arrangers of there shows and music. The band belongs to them and you can see it and feel in every time they perform

C.H. Flowers High School
The school is named in honor of Charles Herbert Flowers a Tuskegee Airman. Since the opening of C.H. Flowers in 2000 the Band has participated in the Battle of the Bands-D.C. in 2004, National Invitational High Stepping Band Competition in Atlanta, Ga. Oxon Hill High School Invitational, Tangerine Bowl, Universal Studio's Macy Day Parade and The Strawberry Festival in W.Va. The group is under the leadership of Mr. William Lloyd and Mr. Isaac Daniel. Majorette coordinator Ms. Irene Johnson, Flag Coordinator Ms. Charmaine Wilkins. Drum Major Angelo Lowe.

Crossland High School
The Marching Cavalier of Crossland High School is one of the most successful musical programs in the tri-state area. This band is lead by Mr. Hugh W. Barnes Jr. and Mrs. Myneko Broadhurst. The high-stepping Cavaliers have performed for the NBA Washington Wizards and WNBA Washington Mystics. They have also traveled to Florida to perform for the NBA Orlando Magic bas¬ketball team and participated in the Orange Bowl Half Time Show. The Marching Cavaliers also competed in the National Marching Band Competition in Atlanta, GA and the Battle of the Bands at RFK Stadium.

Frank W. Ballou High School
The Majestic Marching Knights of Frank W. Ballou Senior High School in Washington, DC is an Award Winning Band who have had the honor to perform for such notable individuals as President Bill Clinton as well as the Ambassador of Taipei, China. The Majestic Knights, under the direction of Mr. Darrell Watson, are led by Head Drum Major Mr. Rome West. The Majestic Knights had the opportunity to participate in the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Parade and the High School Battle of the Bands sponsored by the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, where they captured Second Place. They have been selected to return this year as one of the eight finalists to participate. They have performed for several community events including: The City of Fairfax 4th of July Parade (Second place Winners); Veteran's Day Parade, Anneville, PA; Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester, VA; just to name a few.

Click Here for the official schedule.