A pretty big gig in D.C.
Manning High musicians in fundraising mode so they can play in parade
The Post and Courier
Manning High School marching band sousaphone players Eric Lemon (left) and Reggie Smith are getting ready for their big trip to Washington by practicing the song 'Get Ready,' a favorite of President-elect Barack Obama's.
Video
Manning H.S. Marching Band
The Manning High School Golden Pride Marching Band will represent South Carolina in President Obama's inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 2009 - if they can raise another $27,000.
Photo Gallery
Manning Marching Band
Members of the Manning High School Marching Band have been asked to participate in the Inauguration of Barack Obama in January and will be marching in the parade. The band is spending hours drilling their music and marching to be prepared for the walk down Pennsylvania Avenue.
To donate
The Manning High School Golden Pride Marching Band was selected to represent South Carolina in President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural parade. The students need to raise $40,000 to pay for the trip. To make a donation, send to Manning High School Band, 2155 Paxville Highway, Manning, S.C., 29102.
Previous Story
Manning High School band picked for inaugural parade, published 12/08/08
MANNING — Today's lesson in band class has nothing to do with notes or scales, tempo or mark-time.
On this Monday afternoon, the percussion students at Manning High School are learning a little bit about math. While a few guys sit in the back of the room, tapping out a beat on empty chairs, band director Ray Francis throws out numbers that could make a teenager's head swim.
Thirty hotel rooms for four nights cost about $19,000; two charter buses for five days run $12,600. And then there are the uniforms.
"You guys are going to have to pay $80 for your clothes," Francis says.
Throw in another $8,500, $20 per student per day for food, and all of a sudden you are talking about real money.
That's $40,000 or more to take the Manning High School Golden Pride Marching Band to Washington in January — and the kids don't have it. So far they have raised $13,000. If they can't come up with another $27,000 in the next few weeks, they could miss out on their place in history.
The Manning High School marching band has been invited to represent South Carolina in President Barack Obama's
inaugural parade. Although the band is accustomed to honors and accolades, nothing has prepared its members for this.
They are the talk of the town, the pride of the Pee Dee and an amazing success story. And even though these 85 teens are high school students, the significance is not lost on them.
"I didn't think I'd see this in my lifetime," says DeMarcus Ballard, a sophomore who plays the bass drum. "We are getting more excited every day."
Sixty years ago, the struggle for civil rights took a large step forward with a lawsuit in this county, a court battle that reached the United States Supreme Court as part of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark school desegregation case.
It is a fitting touch of symbolism, but it likely had little to do with Manning High School's invitation. You see, these kids have an in. They knew the president-elect way back when.
Obama and the band
It all started in November 2007.
During the presidential primary, Obama had scheduled a stump speech at the courthouse in Manning. As soon as Francis heard about it, he began lobbying to get his band a spot on the program. The school district OK'd it, and the group was welcomed by the campaign.
It's a good thing for all the people who showed up. That day, Obama, like most politicians, was late. What began as a couple of numbers soon grew into an hour-and-a-half concert.
The candidate arrived before it was over and listened for a bit. Afterward, he spent some time meeting the musicians, even though none of them were old enough to cast a ballot.
"He got my vote right then, as good as he was to my students," Francis says.
When Obama later came back to Columbia for a rally with Oprah Winfrey at Williams-Brice Stadium, he invited the band to play for him again. And he had the group back in the state capital on primary night.
As a result, these kids — most of them from rural families of modest means — have had unique access to the guy who arguably will be the most powerful man in the world. They act like it's old hat.
"He's a great guy," Justice Kindell, who plays tenor sax, says nonchalantly.
Just like any other guy — who's going to be president. So, were they pulling for him to win?
"Of course," says band member Jonathan White.
When Obama was elected in November, Francis got to work immediately, filling out the "900-page book" to apply for a spot in the parade, putting together a DVD of concert videos. It didn't hurt that a Manning High School alumnus worked on the South Carolina campaign, but it was still no shoo-in. Manning had to compete, once again, against bands from across the state, some of them college bands.
The band got the invitation Dec. 5 and "they haven't come down since," Francis says.
'They are going to go'
Michael Shorter, principal of Manning High School, says the response he's gotten is amazing — alumni, local businesses, politicians, even competing schools have offered to help.
The group is going to need it. Times are tough everywhere, but money for schools has never exactly flowed freely in this part of the state.
In 1949, the NAACP came to Clarendon County to protest inequities in the school system: white children rode buses to school while black children were forced to walk, sometimes miles, to get to class.
At the time, South Carolina was one of 17 states that required segregated schools.
When Harry and Eliza Briggs, a service station attendant and a maid, became the first to sign up for the lawsuit, they lost their jobs. The case that carried their name, Briggs v. Elliott, became one of the five cases that made up Brown v. Board of Education.
Half a century later, the school districts along Interstate 95's "corridor of shame" are still fighting for equitable funding from the state. Obama mentioned the Clarendon County residents who began the civil rights fight when he spoke in Manning that day in November 2007.
"I know that because they were willing to overcome their fears and reach for a larger dream, the Supreme Court overturned 'separate but equal,' and Congress passed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act," Obama said then.
"And I know that I stand on their shoulders, that their courage and sacrifice six decades ago makes it possible for me to run today for president of the United States," he said.
Today, the district makes good with what it has, but some things have not changed. Nearly 80 percent of the students at Manning High School qualify for free or reduced lunch.
There is no way that they could come up with the $640 each it would take them to make this trip; it's going to be hard enough to scrape together $80 to pay for the uniforms they'll need, which include wind suits to fend off the bitter D.C. winter.
But Shorter says failure is not an option.
"We are doing everything in our power," he says. "They are going to go. We will make it happen. This will be an experience they can think about for the rest of their lives."
In front of the world
Apparently, the president-elect has an appreciation for glam metal.
The Golden Pride is marching around the high school parking lot on a warm afternoon, blasting out the infectious signature notes of "The Final Countdown," a hit from the 80s-era Swedish band Europe.
Francis says Obama heard them play it once, and requested it at one of their later performances. They will not disappoint him on Jan. 20.
Francis is a kind, soft-spoken man who somehow manages to keep all 85 of his kids in line, albeit at first not a straight one. He soon has that corrected.
"You have to look good," Francis yells out over the music. "Guys, we're going to be in front of the whole world. Not just South Carolina, or even the United States. Everybody in the world who has a TV will be watching."
The band segues into "Get Ready" by the Temptations, and they are rocking. This is another one that Obama reportedly likes, and the kids have it down pat.
Like their school district, they make good use of what they have. The band needs new drum heads, and the instruments are beat up, scuffed and scraped. The members would like to get new ones but doubt they'll have the money for such luxury.
It won't make much difference; they sound great with what they have. As they play, Isharell Overton sits in her car, moving to the beat. Her daughter, Natacha, is in the color guard, and both of them are so excited they can hardly stand it, although Natacha is too cool to show it.
"I certainly never thought this would come to pass, and I never thought my daughter would be a part of it," Isharell says.
For Francis, it comes back to math. They have 46 hours of practice time remaining before they leave for Washington. They have $27,000 more to raise before they can go. If Francis is sweating, it doesn't show.
"I assure you we will make South Carolina proud," he says.
The kids aren't worried either. They go through practice like pros, some stopping to read the sheet music and practice in small groups before rejoining the march. The horns are perfecting "Get Ready." That, they say, is what they have to do.
The money will come, the trip will happen and they will play for Obama once again.
"Everything Mr. Francis said has come true," Kindell says. "I'm just waiting to see what happens."
There is a nervous energy in the band. As the members alternate between the two songs they are practicing, they never crack a smile. They have a determined look in their eyes, and the beat seems to flow through them naturally.
It's less than a month until show time, and they will be ready.
"This is going to be an experience," says Tawana Randall, a junior who plays the cymbals. "This is something you can tell your grandkids about."
Reach Brian Hicks at bhicks@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
sfarris (anonymous) says...
Wow this makes me happy! I wish them luck!
December 21, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodkarmasc (anonymous) says...
Milliken, Close, Ravenel, Moore....the list of millionairs in South Carolina is numerous....but no one will step up to the plate for these kids???? What a shame.
December 21, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
When Obama quoted "I am my brother's keeper", do you think that he would want this band, these kids, to waste $40,000 for Obama's inaugural parade?
This is just another story trying to get people to donate for this "worthy" cause. What a load of baloney.
Speaking of baloney, that is a food right? There are many food banks that need help right know. What is more important, Obama's inaugural parade or feeding the hungry?
Now here is someone who gets it;
Woman warms hearts, fills bellies
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/d...
December 21, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
chicago thug,
how about me? since i volunteer 3 hours a week at the lowcountry food bank, may i donate to these kids?
Jerk
December 21, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
sure, donate await lol, jerk. you missed th point didnt you? but like many on these boards, you just post to incite.
BTW, which food bank you donate time at? Since coming here, I was looking for one in Goose Creek. There used to be Helping Hands of Goose Creek, in the 90s...are they still there?
My point was, yes it would be great for these kids to go, but is is really that important? More important than feeding the needy?
I dont think Obama would think so or than again, maybe it is a coronation and not an inaugiration. Either way, just like Bushs, and clintons, its a waste of money.
From FOX News;
Obama's Inaugural Dilemma: How to Party, Recession-Style
President-elect Barack Obama will be treading a thin line between opulence and common sense at his inaugural ball next month.
President Bush held...the most expensive inauguration in U.S. history, costing $42.3 million in private money -- Bill Clinton's inaugural festivities, which cost $33 million in 1993,
Reagan's inaugural ball cost $16.3 million in 1981, more than three times that of Jimmy Carter's $3.5 million inaugural celebration in 1977 -- even after counting the 48.7 percent inflation rate during Carter's one term in office."
We are swearing in a President, not coronating royalty. Although I can see how many think it is the later
December 21, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
whatever, getserious, I dont know what you are referring to with the other usernames, but you did just make my point about many posters just post to incite.
Any thing worth adding to the article or discussion or are you just a simple embicile?
Note that I mention President Bush's $42.3 million inauguration abd Reagans $16.3. Yes, I am so partisan.
December 21, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
getserious, there you go, nothing to add but pure useless drivel, meant only to incite. So you prove my point yet again.
After looking at some of your mindless past posts, I see you are what is commonly referred to as an internet troll. Ignoring you from this point on will do.
So go waste your non-articulate, unintelligent and inciteful (not to be confused with insightful, which would require intelligent thought) comments on some one else.
December 21, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
Well, I will respond to that, since it seems to be somewhat helpful.
I have seen "SimplyMad" and "B_Fwank" since joining the site, but they are a little far right for me. The others, I am not familiar with.
Although I think Evil Genius was a real-time strategy or simulation video game.
Have a nice day.
December 21, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
$40K is a lot of money to the members of a high school band but a mere drop in the bucket in relation to the huge sums the Obama campaign has amassed.
Since Obama and company "invited" this band to entertain them why can't they spread the wealth(some of theirs) and pay the bands expenses?
I forgot, these folks only like to do good works with other people's money.
It wouldn't hurt to ask though. Who knows, change has been promised!
December 21, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
I had it when I lived in o'fallon illinois, right outside East St Louis. It may still be on some blogs up there.
Glad I am down here, not missing the cold they are having right now, thats for sure.
December 21, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
yird, In that same FOX news article, I saw this
"Several Hollwood actors have donated $50,000 each -- the maximum allowed -- to the inaugural committee to fund the galas, according to the committee's online database of contributors."
I think your right about helping the band, these Hollwood actors, could do it.
December 21, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
Here is a link to the article if interested
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/...
December 21, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
Getserious, it appears, after reading several pages of you posts you seem to be loosen from your mental moorings, when it comes to these posters;
Yird
Simplymad
B_fwank
They seem to really get to you. You never post anything of significance, just attacks on the same posters.
You are a poor soul indeed. Yet they make some valid comments that you have no intelligent responce too.
Look at these examples;
Comments by GetSerious
December 18 at 8:57 p.m.
hightide- Fwank's a d-bag loser
On Riley to meet Obama team
December 13 at 9:27 a.m.
And worse- SimplyMad has created yet ANOTHER persona in carolinaboy.
On Flat tax benefits wealthy
December 11 at 8:53 p.m.
Thanks for enlightening me, SimplyYird
On Jobless rate could skyrocket
December 11 at 2:31 p.m.
Once again, SimplyMad weighs in with no original thoughts.
On Jobless rate could skyrocket
December 10 at 6:42 p.m.
This SimplyMad joker is a real piece of work.
On Illinois governor arrested
December 9 at 7:26 p.m.
tird- your wordplay is some high quality stuff. What time is bingo tonight at Bishop Gadsden?
On Illinois Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe
December 9 at 5:35 p.m.
hey tird- your boy SimplyMad is talking to himself again, what a flip-wad. Shouldn't you two dbags be out there producing and creating jobs?
On Illinois Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe
December 8 at 12:23 p.m.
B_Fwank- You're such a flipping loser troll dude
On Obama backs Detroit aid
November 26 at 9:38 p.m.
tird- Happy Thanksgiving! And congrats on being the biggest d-bag loser to ever post on this site
On Intruder shot while entering house
November 20 at 6:14 p.m.
man yird you're so witty and quick you can really zing 'em you totally put me in my place you're the man. lol
You claim to be an older gentlemen, yet your posts read as if they were written by a 6th grader
On Obama taps Daschle as health secretary
November 17 at 1 p.m.
yird's a bigger troll than you are, I shouldn't stoop to his level though, you're right. He's a smug little bugger and a little too big for his britches.
On S.C. priest clarifies anti-Obama stand
November 15 at 11:12 p.m.
Another desperate attempt by yird to be funny, with the usual brutal result. yird, you need to stop making yourself look like an idiot, man. You come off as a total irrelevant dumb-ass.
On Sanford's political star rising
November 15 at 5:22 p.m.
hey yird, my cousin is retarded too, so I know how you feel.
On Sanford's political star rising
Well, that is just 6 of 18 pages of pure non-sensical stupidity and insults that prove that getserious is in need of some mental stability.
I think I made my point, you, (having no probative value upon any issue), are an empty headed loser.
You are just an Internet troll looking to incite angry responses, and looking for someone to validate your poor existence. But you have my sympathy.
December 21, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
Nearly 80% qualify for free lunch and over 90% in St. Stephen. Either it is way to easy to qualify for free lunch, people are lying about their incomes, or things are bad upstate.
That is alot of money to go play a couple of songs. Yes, it would be a great experience, but is it a "want" or a "need".
Priorities are different in today's world.
December 21, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
outrage
"That is alot of money to go play a couple of songs. Yes, it would be a great experience, but is it a "want" or a "need"."
You got that right outrage. But it is after all a cult of personality. Obama worship is the new religion.
LMAO, I see that dipsh!t getserious got nailed by thug. getsomeserious_help, is a loony toon!
December 21, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
SM, it would be better to ignore him.
December 21, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Chicago_Thug,
Read the article, interesting. One fat cat Hollweird doner could solve the problem for these children or better yet, supply a food bank with many months supply of wholesome staples.
Nice hatchet job on GetSerious. I shouldn't do it but I purposely set him off every once in a while.
His whole mission on these threads seems to be devoted to that end since he rarely if ever contributes anything of worth germane to the discussions.
GuidedbyStewert is another who works in close "concert" with GetDelirous. They feed off each other sharing a diet of mutual annoyance.
GetDelirious failed in a attempt to have me booted (he'll deny it but his posts speak differently.
=== === === === === === === === ===
GetSerious Posted on November 1 at 10:42 p.m.
You sound like that c-sucker proletariat. He went redline and got booted, lol.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GetSerious Posted on November 6 at 2:08 p.m.
if the artist formerly known as yird (he was booted) is back under a new and improved screen name (i wouldn't know anything about that...)- thanks for the book suggestion.
He can dish it out but he can't take it.
December 21, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
Getserious, LMAO, yep, I have been exposed, exposed to your lunacy and rambling BS.
You have had how many screen names that have been deleted?
TP
Donttasemebro
Sofa_king_what
Cristos_Micah_king
Hockymom
And several others I cant remember, but you/they all had the same thing in common, the almost insane infatuation with the term D-bag. You are the very definition of a delusional twit!
You can try and project your infantile, self-loathing bs onto me. But in reality, you only describe yourself. You are the freak show, and everyone on here knows it. They only need to look at your many manic insults and constant stalking of the same people. You're sick, and have this psychotic fascination with putting others down yet adding nothing to the conversation. As if you are stalking me as well as other particular posters.
Chicagothug hit it on the head, he/she saw you as many others do, a pathetic little troll.
Get some serious help D-Bag!
December 21, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
yird, getserious is a nut job, at least at times guided, adds some thoughts to the topic. LOL, for that matter, even jimislander has some lucid moments, but getserious is a flippin joke.
I gotta go watch some football......
December 21, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walterrhett (anonymous) says...
America--the real America of hope and can do spirit is big enough and generous enough to find a way to do both--and more! Those cynics who throw stones don't do much but sit and bellyache and seek to deny these young men and women an experience with a irreplaceable special memory of a life-time. For those who think this is a case of plus-minus, giving to one takes away from the other, buy a loaf of bread, a package of baloney and give away sandwiches. Quit squeezing the joy out of life--especially for the kids who have been selected for this very special honor! Also, if you are staying home, I found a great, free ebook online, about Obama and Charleston. It has over 100 photo pages, many of Charleston. The Link is at http:www.lulu.com/content/5282127
December 21, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
He can dish it out but he can't take it.
That last line was my comment not GetSerious's.
December 21, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
walterrhett "For those who think this is a case of plus-minus, giving to one takes away from the other, buy a loaf of bread, a package of baloney and give away sandwiches."
You know, that is exactly what I have been saying. For all the welfare supporting leftists (Obama and his "Yes we can" crowd) that want to take my tax payer money and give it to those that wont work, how about buy a loaf of bread, a package of baloney and give away sandwiches.
I say, yes you can with your money!
Nobody is saying that this band should not be able to go, I think what is being said, is that there are many folks out there in need of lifes basics.
Let the Liberal elite finance the band...and it is a valid question to ask "Where is Obama? He invited the band to play for him again.
Would this get any attention if it were a (dare I ask) predominately white school/band?
Ok, let the name calling begin.
December 21, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
Time for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans! I hope they have a band at half time!
December 21, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
yird,
"One fat cat Hollweird doner could solve the problem for these children or better yet, supply a food bank with many months supply of wholesome staples."
Yep, thats what I was thinking, but you know those loving Hollywood types would rather give away our money, after all they know better than we.
December 21, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
getserious, I understand now what is the at the root of you pretty psychotic personalities.
But Hnag in there. Hope may be here for you. Dant be ashamed. This story applies to little boys like you too getserious.
"For men it's very humiliating to even admit they are in an abusive situation."
"Trapped in Silence: Abused Men and the Women Who Abuse Them" (Mill City Press, 2009).
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/d...
December 21, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proudmomma (anonymous) says...
BTW, Helping Hands of Goose Creek is still there, off of Central Avenue. But they do close down for the holidays.
If Mr. Zucker were still alive, I bet he would help this band in a heartbeat.
December 21, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SimplyMad (anonymous) says...
gesdelerious, I think that the following is the disorder you suffer from, (you and your many imaginary friends);
Schizophreniform disorder: People with this illness have symptoms of schizophrenia, (such as delusions and hallucinations), but the symptoms last more than one month but less than six months.
Your screen personas usually last about a month or two, before you goe completely bonkers and drop the f-bomb and d-bag to much and gets deleted.
December 21, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Yird's posts are far and away the most intelligent and insightful on this thread.
December 21, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
diablo_tonto (anonymous) says...
Congrats to the band for the invite to the Inauguration. Hope they perform well and cherish the once in a lifetime opportunity they've been afforded with here.
December 21, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
We went from congratulating a High School band from a poor part of SC for getting invited to an inagural parade (regardless of who's elected) to ranting and raving against each others political and social ideologies.
If you ask me you all are a bunch of trolls.
December 22, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.