After a long practice one day about a year ago, Southern University band director Kedric Taylor huddled his 200-plus-member squad for a quick message.
Zaid Soberanis-Ramos, a freshman at the time, didn’t expect much. He thought Taylor would give the team instructions for the weekend’s game or a critique of their practice that day. But when Taylor told the band, known as the “Human Jukebox,” that they had been selected to perform in the 2020 Rose Parade, Soberanis-Ramos’ heart leapt with excitement.
Zaid Soberanis-Ramos, right, adjusts his hat while waiting to perform with the Southern University Band during Bandfest at Pasadena City College. With each passing year, she saw the leadership diversify. The past five years produced the first African American and the first Asian American presidents of the organization. Farber said the best part of the job is the people. Hearing their stories inspires her.
“All the dedication and hard work started paying off,” he said. “It was getting me ready for the real world — the practices, the uniforms, the precision. When you see the joy on people’s faces when you do a song and their heads are bopping, it makes it all worth it.” Lizzo, the Associated Press entertainer of the year, featured the band in a December music video. It also performed at a church service and a Los Angeles Lakers halftime show in Staples Center while they were in Los Angeles.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rose Parade 2020: Overnight campers brave the cold to claim prime spotsChairs, blankets and Silly String are essentials for the brave souls who camp out in Pasadena overnight before the Rose Parade.
Read more »
Rose Parade 2020: TV, parking, transit and what to know if you goThe Rose Parade rolls at 8 a.m. PST! If you decide to skip the crowds and watch the Rose Parade from the comfort of your home, we have a list of channels broadcasting the festivities live:
Read more »
How to watch the annual Rose Bowl Parade live stream onlineEvery year the Tournament of the Roses—more commonly referred to as the Rose Bowl—has taken place on New Year's Day since its inception in Pasadena, California, back in 1890. Read on for more information on how to view the time-honored event.
Read more »
Rose Bowl: How to watch, live stream Oregon vs. Wisconsin on WednesdayThe Pac-12 champions and the Big Ten runner-up collide in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2012, both looking to end the season on a high.
Read more »
Old Crow Medicine Show Part Ways With Founding Member Critter FuquaCountry string band’s New Year’s Eve gig in Nashville was the last with the singer-banjoist
Read more »
How to watch the annual Rose Bowl Parade live stream onlineEvery year the Tournament of the Roses—more commonly referred to as the Rose Bowl—has taken place on New Year's Day since its inception in Pasadena, California, back in 1890. Read on for more information on how to view the time-honored event.
Read more »