NCCU band (Marching Sound Machine) gets boost to Pasadena

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

NCCU band gets boost to Pasadena
http://www.heraldsun.net/printer_friendly/7922454

06.13.10 - 09:52 pm

Wal-Mart provides 18-wheeler to move instruments, luggage to Tournament of Roses Parade

By Neil Offen
noffen@heraldsun.com; 419-6646

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University's Marching Sound Machine just took a very big step toward Pasadena.

The university's marching band, which has been invited to participate in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade, has been trying to raise more than half a million dollars to send all its members and their instruments across the country to California for the New Year's Day nationally televised spectacle.

Fundraising had been going a bit slowly, but earlier this month the Wal-Mart corporation agreed to provide an 18-wheeler that will transport all the band's instruments, equipment and luggage across the country -- an in-kind donation that's worth about $100,000 to the university.

"We are elated, ecstatic and very happy about this donation," said LaTanya Afolayan, NCCU's chief fundraiser and vice chancellor of institutional advancement. "This is just wonderful news, particularly for the students who have worked really hard to get us to this point, and really moves us along to our goal."

Wal-Mart, as a corporation, doesn't often provide in-kind donations like this, said Bill Wertz, a spokesman for the company.

"This is a little unusual situation, because the impetus for doing this is coming from our transportation department, which doesn't engage in philanthropy all that often," Wertz said.

The school, which had been looking for transportation help, initiated contact with the company through attorney James Dockery, an NCCU alumnus who is a member of the school's Foundation Board and had worked in the legal office of Wal-Mart headquarters. He sent an e-mail to former colleague Tom Evans, a vice president and legal counsel in Wal-Mart's Bentonville, Ark., headquarters who is responsible for the transportation fleet.

"I ran it ran it up the flagpole to the business people and asked if it was something they could support, and they said let's do it," Evans said. " 'If it's something we can do, we'll do it.' "

Wertz estimated that if Wal-Mart can get all the instruments, equipment and luggage into one large semi-trailer, the cost of the round-trip transport for the company would be in the range of $15,000 to $20,000, although it would cost NCCU far more if it had to pay for the transportation itself.

The donation "makes a big dent into what we need," Afolayan said.

But the school still needs to raise a couple of hundred thousand more dollars to reach the fundraising goal.

"It's coming slowly but surely," Afolayan said. "We are getting some support from local organizations in Durham, and we believe we're going to generate even more support."

The focus of the rest of the campaign will be the national alumni association raffling off a 2010 Nissan Versa donated by Michael Jordan Nissan during homecoming. The school hopes to sell 10,000 tickets at $20 each, ultimately raising $200,000.
http://nccusmbc.tripod.com/fundraising.html

University officials are hoping to complete the fundraising campaign -- or at least come within shooting distance of its goal -- by October.

© heraldsun.net 2010
  

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Walmart Gets Marching Sound Machine One Step Closer to Rose Parade

Published: Monday, June 14, 2010
http://www.nccu.edu/news/index.cfm?ID=36C39688-19B9-B859-78E5643F08221CC7



When members of North Carolina Central University’s Marching Sound Machine arrive in Pasadena, Calif., to take part in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, they will not have to worry about lost luggage at the airport, thanks to a major in-kind gift from Walmart. The transportation services division of the discount giant will transport the band’s instruments, equipment, luggage and uniforms. This gift, valued at close to $100,000, is the largest donation received in support of the Tournament of Roses campaign.

On Christmas morning, two 18-wheelers will roll into Durham, load up and head west, crossing eight states and arriving in California by Dec. 28. Walmart will also transport the equipment back to Durham on Jan. 5. “This gift is saving the university thousands in transportation costs,” said LaTanya Afolayan, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement.

NCCU is anticipating a total cost of $500,000, or $2,000 per student, for the band to take part in the prestigious parade. They still have a ways to go, but Afolayan, whose office is leading the fundraising effort, is confident that NCCU will reach its goal. “This gift sets precedence for other major supporters,” she said. “In these economic times to have Walmart step up at this level, it really means a lot. It signifies Walmart’s commitment to higher education, and we hope it will inspire others to join us in this endeavor.”

NCCU alumnus James Dockery, a member of the board of the NCCU Foundation, was instrumental in securing the donation, Afolayan said. Dockery is a former Walmart employee.

Through their dedication to musicianship, electrifying performances and the artistic expression of band director Jorim Reid, the Marching Sound Machine has gained the attention of several sponsors, including Michael Jordan Nissan, which has donated a 2010 Nissan Versa, valued at $18,000, to be raffled during the NCCU homecoming game on Oct. 30. http://nccusmbc.tripod.com/fundraising.html

The Marching Sound Machine was selected as one of 16 bands to perform at the 2011 Rose Parade. Band members will assist with float preparation and perform in the annual Bandfest event before taking center stage as the first HBCU from North Carolina invited to the Tournament of Roses. To join the parade and help the Marching Sound Machine get to Pasadena, visit http://www.nccu.edu/tournamentofroses

[eagle pride]

This is huge.  Congratulations Sound Machine.

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

NCCU Marching Sound Machine's 2010 Car Raffle Fundraiser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH9tf6ic_KU

Take Care!

[Jaimac]

Best wishes to the Sound Machine for a successful fundraising effort.   

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Thank You Jaimac. 

Take Care!

[y04185]

I look forward to starting the new year watching the Sound Machine on TV while Mrs. y runs errands in her new Nissan.

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

I look forward to starting the new year watching the Sound Machine on TV while Mrs. y runs errands in her new Nissan.

That is All Good "Y !!!

This Spot Goes out to the Friends of the NCCU Marching Sound Machine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h50epKL14ts

Thanks again for your kind words and support.

Take care!

[Professor]

Congrats but i'm not in support.

That 500,000 could go along way with NCCU becoming the top band in the MEAC

[SpecialK]

Can't believe any HBCU would spend that type of money to just to march in a damn parade

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

CLICK HERE TO BUY A $20 RAFFLE TICKET TO WIN A 2010 Nissan Versa !!!

Well, I tell you what. The whole purpose of NCCU sending its Marching Sound Machine to Pasadena, in order to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade, is to gain "WORLD WIDE EXPOSURE" for the Education Product that NCCU, The MEAC and other HBCUs offer as a whole.  Plus, it is a great lifetime experience that our students have earned from their hard work and dedication, in rebuilding the NCCU Marching Band Program.

The 2011 Tournament of Roses parade will be seen around the entire world. We are not talking about millions of people, we are talking about a BILLION+.

Now, one half million is chicken feed, if one is trying to buy that type of world-wide exposure.

I don't hear any of you complaining about the other North Carolina (PWC) Marching Band, Western Carolina, (well over 400 strong) going to the Parade, along with NCCU, as well.  WCU is also the defending National Marching Band Champion for 2009.  NCCU would love to work for and earn that same Sudler  National Championship Trophy as well, some day. (So Far, the only other HBCU To win the Sudler National Championship Trophy, is FAMU in 1985.)

Some of you folks are just pitiful, when it comes to looking at vision and growth, regarding the future of our HBCUs.  Most of you just complain and criticize, just to further develop some of your Crab -in-a Barrel - lazy-a-- attitude.

Well, NCCU will move on with or without your support. Hopefully, NCCU's actions will continue to pave the way for other HBCUs to have an opportunity to shine before the whole Wide World.  If you do, I am sure that the NCCU family will wish you well, with your chance to also show the world what our HBCUs can do.

This trip is NOT all about Band. It is about Education and the advertisement, regarding our HBCUs.  If NCCU continues to attract more outstanding students from across the country, because of this trip, Great. But, this is NOT just about NCCU. It is about ALL of our HBCUs and Our future, before the world's stage.

Yes, it is also the hope that such actions will also help to build the NCCU Music Department and it Marching Band into greater quality numbers, for the future.  

Also, the fundraising efforts, surrounding this trip is not just about spending money to make a trip. It is also about raising Scholarship Dollars to recruit more "Blue Chip" music majors who can play, to continue to build the heart of our Marching Band.

So, this trip represents a lot of things for the next five years of development of the NCCU Marching Band Program.

We still wish Gods very Best of Blessings for your HBCU Band Program that is also near and dear to your heart.

Take care!  

[The Sloping Hills and Verdent Green]

How often do HBCUs get the opportunity to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade?  This is great exposure for both the band and the University.

At the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade The Marching Storm of Prairie View A&M University participated.  And from the various You Tube clips you can tell the folks at the event truly enjoyed PVAMU's performance.

Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm - 2009 Rose Bowl Parade

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

 

[TrueEagle]

AMA & Slope, your responses were a lot more dignified than mine would have been.

[Professor]

How often do HBCUs get the opportunity to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade?  This is great exposure for both the band and the University.

At the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade The Marching Storm of Prairie View A&M University participated.  And from the various You Tube clips you can tell the folks at the event truly enjoyed PVAMU's performance.

Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm - 2009 Rose Bowl Parade

You can apply to be any parade. HBCU bands have plenty exposure. U just said PVA&M was in that one. Let me ask you this ,

What could Reid and the NCCU music program do with 500,000 dollars