Newspaper Page Text
October 4, 1990
Clark Atlanta University Panther
Page 9
Revving Up For Homecoming
By BILLY BLACKBURN
Staff Writer
Here they come marching
in, seven of the most graceful
women that Clark Atlanta
University (CAU) has to offer.
No, they are not the saints
Louis Armstrong had in mind,
but the mere presence of the
CAU Majorettes leaves you
with a heavenly sight.
They perform dance steps
with such precision and grace
as part of the halftime amuse
ment at the football games.
The band provides the music,
the crowd provides the
attention, and the majorettes
provide the entertainment.
“Our motto is baton twirling,
high-stepping, toe-pointing,
smiling majorettes,” said
second year member Mechelle
Heard, “And we work hard to
fulfill every part of that
commitment.”
However, the hard work
begins long before showtime
on Saturday.
The majorettes practice for
two hours every day of the
week. Twirling and dancing
their way to a routine that
every member is comfortable
with. Captain Joi Brewer said,
“We all go home, come up with
ideas and bring them to
practice, so everyone is
involved in the whole process.”
This sort of involvement is
welcomed by all seven
members. First year member
Candice Davis said, “We call
ourselves Sisters United In
Love.” This is a unity that
continues long after the last
baton has been twirled. “Our
performances last 10 minutes,”
said Ms. Heard, “but our
friendships last forever.”
This friendship takes the
Flag Corps
By TONJA M. ABRAHAM
Contributing Writer
On a hot and humid, Friday
evening, members of the Clark
Atlanta University Flag Corps
eagerly prepare to practice
routines for the upcoming
games.
A whistle is blown and the
flag corps is called to attention.
Standing in position the flags
begin to do a peel off marching
in place. Proudly stepping
toward the area obserers.
“Hold up your flags and pick
your feet!” yells Cheryl Hill.
The flag corps is known as
the Pantherette Squad. There
are 14 members this year and
four of them are veterans. They
are LaBrongia Felton, Kanata
Herning, Shiekgo Carter,
Lynette Johnson, Shyronda
Smith, Nicole Langford, Phdra
Landers, Janet Simmons,
Lychionte Cole, Nikka Carter,
Lytycia Blank and Anika
girls to parties, movies, study
sessions, and shopping sprees.
It is also a sisterhood that will
supply the majorettes with new
uniforms.
The University cutback on
the band’s budget; therefore,
leaving the majorettes with the
dilemma of having to perform
in worn out, shabby uniforms.
However, the girls have
decided to take matters into
their own hands, and hold
fundraising functions to cover
the cost of new uniforms.
“We’re going to have bake
sales, raffles, car washes, or
just go around the AUC
(Atlanta University Center)
and beg if we have to,” Ms.
Brewer said jokingly. The
majorettes estimate that new
uniforms will cost around $600.
Though the University cut
its budget, it didn’t cut the
school spirit of the girls. “This
is the ultimate accomplish
ment,” said Tiersa Holmes,
“Performing for your school.”
This sentiment is echoed by all
the majorettes.
The opportunity to travel,
meet new people, make Mends,
entertain and occupy the
spotlight are benefits that
these majorettes wouldn’t
trade for anything. “The
school spirit gives you an
emotional high that is unbeli
evable,” said Sonya Jackson,
a second year member.
This high carries over from
class to practice to showtime
on Saturday. “We just try to do
our best and smile,” said Ms.
Brewer, “And that usually sets
the tone for a great perfor
mance.”
Oh, how I want to be in that
number when the saints come
marching in!
A dds Spice
White. Trina Wheeler is the
new captain and proceeds after
Cheryll Hill and Viva Jester,
former members, are now
active sponsors.
Regina Ward, first year
alternate, states, “Being on the
Pantherette Squad is very
exciting and I enjoy perform
ing for the audience during
halftime.”
When they get to the field,
the girls are to run laps and do
exercises to get in shape. They
practice everyday of the week
unless the band director says
otherwise. The captain
choreographs all routines, but
the members can suggest their
dancing ideas. The girls listen
and practice with a cassette
tape during the break, but on
the field they perform with the
band.
The Friday practices are the
most serious because this
dictates who will perform in
PHOTO BY RODNEY MATHEWS
CA U majorettes and marching band in action.
By Sheryl Kennedy
Staff Writer
The crisp sound of their instruments and
their high stepping flair is just two character
istics the Clark Atlanta University marching
band has perfected to a fine art.
Even though the mighty marching Panthers
have decreased in number this year, Dr. Alfred
Wyatt Sr., director of the Clark Atlanta Univer
sity marching band, is overflowing with
confidence that the band will shower alumni
and students with that “good ole CAU
homecoming spirit.”
“We are really excited about homecoming as
well as the rest of the season and working very
hard to do our very best,” says Wyatt.
Many band members did not return and a
large number of freshmen did not audition for
the band, even though scholarship monies were
made available.
“You don’t ever feel good about small
numbers, especially when there are several
talented students walking around caitapus,”
says Wyatt.
.The number of band members varies from
week to week, but as of now the band is
composed of 16 drummers; 14 trumpets; 8 flutes;
12 clarinets; 4 trombones; 6 bass horns; 2 drum
majors; 14 flag girls; and 5 saxophones.
There is no section that is better than the
other, because each member is full of musical
talent.
The dazzling Panthers can stun any crowd
with precision in every step and cheer on the
team with more than vocal ability, but with the
flow of eloquent notes.
“It’s hard to find a group with this much
talent,” says Wyatt.
The marching Panthers get a chance to
display their musical gifts during halftime. The
band does not compete in registered competi
tions, but to this group of Panthers, halftime is
the greatest competition. “Halftime gives us
the chance to really see all our hard work pay
off through the crowd’s cheers and a smile on
Dr. Wyatt’s face,” says Ms. Vicki Craft, who is a
junior in the clarinet section.
With the homecoming game approaching,
the Panther band has been practicing from 5:30
p.m. to 8 p.m. to make sure their performance at
each event is superb.
However hard work is nothing new to the
band, says Jerry Freeman, president of the
Clark Atlanta University band.
As well as a good on the field performance,
Freeman says off the field unity is important to
the band. “We are not just a band, we are a
family and we work hard for unity like a family
would,” says Freeman.
This is Freeman’s second consecutive year as
band president. His schedule stays busy with
organizing band meetings, arranging trips,
and arranging drills for the squad.
Even with a huge responsibility such as
Freeman’s, he does not mind because his job is
one to easily fall in love with.
The two drum majors, Ignatius Hines and
Kevin Jones, have even a greater responsibility.
Both have to be familiar with each selection
and at the time develop dance routines.
But the Panther band is no “one man show.”
Every member is vital to every function of the
band, whether it be developing drills or
presenting new effective ways of working
together.
After football season, the band has a full
agenda. The marching band transforms to the
symphonic band. Wyatt says the band is
usually invited to play at several events. The
band also has its annual Spring Concert that
many students look forward to each year. But
until then, the students can enjoy the band
from the grand stands.
The girls are raising money
to buy capes because of the
cold weather. They hope not to
freeze in the winter for the
remainder of the season. They
also need the capes for the
Martin Luther King holiday
parade in January.
The Pantherettes plan to
excite the Homecoming
audience this year with a new
routine. They will attempt to
throw their flag poles in the
air.
the game on Saturday. After
practicing with the band, the
squad has try-outs. The girls
perform the routine as, if they
were actually at the game.
They are being judged by the
sponsors and the captain. “Lift
your arms and smile!” yells
Ms. Jester. “Do it again!”
screams Ms. Wheeler.
The Pantherette Squad is
furnished by the school a red
and black mini-dress uniform,
but must supply their own
boots, gloves, stockings and
shoe pom-poms. With students
having to buy books and
paying tuition they seek old
members for things they can’t
purchase. Anika White said, “I
had to get my boots from a girl
back home and send my
uniform there also to have the
zipper repaired. With these
adjustments I did not perform
the first game.”