Sprite Queen City Battle of the Bands

[TrueEagle]

The Sprite Queen City Battle of the Bands invitational showcase will be held in Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium, 310 N. Kings Dr., on August 28, 2010 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The inaugural event will feature the bands from Florida A&M University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Shaw University and South Carolina State University.

[eagle pride]

What!!!  

[Jaimac]

This should be good.  

However, JCSU's football team is scheduled to play ECSU at 6 PM in Elizabeth City on that date.  

Soooooo does this mean the band is skipping the game?  

[The Sloping Hills and Verdent Green]

This should be good.  

However, JCSU's football team is scheduled to play ECSU at 6 PM in Elizabeth City on that date.  

Soooooo does this mean the band is skipping the game?  

Jaimac,

I was thinking the exact same thing.  I guess the IIOS is not going to Elizabeth City to support their team.

[eagle pride]

This should be good.  

However, JCSU's football team is scheduled to play ECSU at 6 PM in Elizabeth City on that date.  

Soooooo does this mean the band is skipping the game?  

Jaimac,

I was thinking the exact same thing.  I guess the IIOS is going to Elizabeth City to support their team.

JCSU may not take that 5.5 hour drive to ECSU. 

[TrueEagle]

Better them than our band. If it makes them happy, I'm tickled pink.

[Professor]

I thought Memorial was closed

[eagle pride]

I thought Memorial was closed

I was thinking the same thing.  I need to find out before I buy tickets. 

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

In 2009, Memorial was closed for repairs after a storm water tunnel under the stadium burst. Losing the 24,000-seat facility, long a home to Mecklenburg County’s biggest games, left school officials scrambling to find adequate sites.

That won’t be a problem this season.

City workers are completing construction of a CPCC parking deck on the property, and the facility should be ready to open by mid-August. A damaged section of bleachers was not replaced, trimming Memorial’s seating capacity to 21,000, but the area was covered with grass, allowing spectators additional seating options.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/31/1594237/memorial-stadium-ready-to-reopen.html#ixzz0wJeuOKZd

[Aggie Blues]

First the step off and now a battle of the bands Sprite is really trying to pander to the Black Folks...

Im there!

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

NCCU Marching Sound Machine to Perform in Charlotte
http://www.nccu.edu/news/index.cfm?ID=6C1056DF-19B9-B859-788244C9E277296D

Published: Friday, August 13, 2010



The past year has brought one success after another for the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine. Last November, the band received an unexpected but well-deserved invitation to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., and in January, gave a stirring performance at its sixth consecutive appearance at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta. The newest honor is an invitation to the Sprite Queen City Battle of the Bands in Charlotte, which will take place Aug. 28, at Charlotte Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m.

With a unique sound that incorporates drum corps techniques, a pit percussion section and a large dance and equipment auxiliary, the 224-member band is one of the largest units on the NCCU campus. Its performances have been described as “electrifying,” “show-stopping” and “powerful” by those who have seen the Marching Sound Machine take to the field. But perhaps what sets the band apart is the vision and leadership of band director Jorim Reid and his commitment to musicianship. “It’s all about their skill as musicians,” said Reid. “We don’t want to blast our audience but rather, engage them with a high quality listening experience.”

The Marching Sound Machine and five other marching bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will compete for more than $60,000 in scholarships. The other competitors will be bands from Florida A&M University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina A&T State University, Shaw University and South Carolina State University. High school drumlines from West Charlotte High and Harding University High will also perform.

Tickets for the Sprite Queen City Battle of the Bands can be purchased for $15 in advance at http://www.ez-tix.com  and for $20 the day of the event at the stadium box office. For the latest information on the Sprite Queen City Battle of the Bands, visit http://www.queencitybattleofthebands.com/

[Bro. Askia Musa Afiba]

Six bands, one field to do battle
http://www.thecharlottepost.com/index.php?src=news&refno=2870&category=Arts%20and%20Entertainment
  
Published Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:00 am
by Staff reports

Black college bands will compete in the Queen City Battle of the Bands this month.

 
 
FILE PHOTO
Johnson C. Smith University will compete in the Sprite QC Battle of the Bands Aug. 28 with N.C. A&T, Florida A&M, S.C. State and Shaw universities.

The event includes four North Carolina bands: Johnson C. Smith, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central and Shaw universities. South Carolina State University and Florida A&M University round out the field.  

Drumlines from Harding High and West Charlotte high schools will also perform.

The bands will compete from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 28 at Memorial Stadium, 310 N. Kings Drive. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event.

On the Net:



Sprite QC Battle of the Bands
http://www.queencitybattleofthebands.com

[eagle pride]

I made the trip to the Queen City.  I will post my order later.

[eagle pride]

Best bands:

1.  FAMU (their sound was awesome)
2.  NCCU  (they surprised the heck out of folks)
3.  SCSU (big band, good sound, but boring)
4.  A&T (Aggies, the overblowing has got to stop)
5.  Shaw U.  (Great sound for a small band)
6.  JCSU

Well, this is how I saw it. 

[TREESE]

from the 5th qtr!!!!!
mrknowitall (Head of Bands-Warren County H.S. Dynamic Marching Machine & Steel Stix Drumline)
I was on the field and heard and saw some totally different things that from what I am hearing people say about the view from up top.

JCSU - I was actually surprised at the size of the group. I was expecting them to be alot smaller. They came out with great energy. Mellophones just overshadowed the poor trumpet section for the majority of the show. JCSU's drumline played the tightest licks of the night by far. Great job Funk Phi Mob

NCCU - I could see that alot of things werent exectued well as far as marching but I continue to like the direction that Jorim Reid is going. I love the mixed marching styles. The NCCU dance routine was the crunkest of the evening.

SHAW - I liked the energy as well but I heard alot of hitting in missing particulary in the trumpet section. The arrangements were good and played pretty well for the most part. Dance girls have really really improved from years back. The song selection wasn't the best for me though.

NCA&T - The opening sound definetly woke the crowd up. ALOT of energy on the field. However, during the drill the musicality was lost for quite some time in lower and middle brass. Mellophones totally overblew at times and a few times the euphoniums did as well. Tubas were very powerful for the 13 or 14 that yall had on the field. Golden Delight continues to amaze me. Great job. The Luther tune was spectacular. I would like to see Cold Steel switch it up and do something a little different. It's too predictable now. Bed Intruder song was a very good closing.

SCSU - Regardless of how they did tonight, they were going to keep their haters. I myself throughly enjoyed this band. I lovedddddddddd the sound of the 101. I could tell that several people have been working to clean them up. I liked the drill. I liked the balance, the intonation, the phrasing and the dynamics. SCSU to me had the best sound of the night besides FAMU on "It Kills Me". The only problem with SCSU was the dance routine left you wanting sooo much more. There was no energy in it what so ever. Actually most of the show didn't have energy but the sound was still great.

FAMU - All the way down to Charlotte from VA, I kept thinking. FAMU is really going to put on a show today for Dr. Foster. When the band first walked out, they looked really small to me compared to what I was expecting. Dissapointment #1 - They didn't face the crowd on "20th Century Fanfare". Dissapointment #2 - Drill execution was very bad at times. Dissapointment #3 - During the drill, I heard some sounds come from off that field that I have never heard with FAMU. Now on the the best thing. FAMU is still FAMU. They still can play the hell out of a ballad. They sounded great during "It Kills Me". FAMU's sound has always been something special and I just love it. I just wish the rest of the show would have been as special as that one tune. Dance routine was very lackluster for FAMU.

OVERALL - All of these bands did a great job for this early in the season. I was very impressed with how they performed as well as how the event organizers kept the event running.

My Final Rankings

#1 - NCA&T
#2 - SCSU
#3 - NCCU
#4 - FAMU
#5 - SHAW
#6 - JCSU

I know alotttt of people are going to disagree with me on this. But on the field this is what I saw.

Best Sound - SCSU
Best Drill - SCSU/NCA&T
Most Entertaining - NCA&T
Best Auxiliary - NCA&T
Best Drumline - JCSU
Best Dance Routine - NCCU
Best Drum Majors - FAMU
Best Overall Show of the Night - NC A&T