Prairie View A&M University's Marching Storm Reigns on The Parade of Roses

On January 1, 2009, the beginning of a brand New Year, everything came up roses for the "Marching Storm" Band of Prairie View A&M University, the lead band in the 120th Rose Parade themed 'Hats Off to Entertainment.' The band and the famed University 'Black Foxes' also featured in the opening performance playing and dancing to the broadway tunes, as well as a performance atop the Honda asimo float - a 20 feet Robot. In addition to being to its first trip to the parade, the Storm became the inaugural performer for the Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the future.

The world viewed the Best Band in the Land on the major networks--ABC, NBC,HGTV, Univision, Travel Channel, RFD-TV, and KWHY and KTLA in the Los Angeles area. Houston's Channel 2 (NBC) and Channel 13 (ABC)covered the local area.

PVAMU received official word of its selection during a press conference last fall when the association's president Ronald “Corky” H. Conzonire came to campus and presented PVAMU President George C. Wright and Marching Storm Band Director George Edwards, with an official Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade Flag in honor of the special invitation. On hand for the special presentation were Dr. Margaret Sherrod Willie, Black Fox Director and Mrs. Marilyn Conzonire and other university officials.

The Tournament of Roses Association 2009 Rose Parade is the world’s largest festival and parade of featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands showcasing the best in entertainment.

Support for the Band's appearance was garnered through the efforts of Mr. Craig Crason, executive producer of the Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase, who helped initiate the HBCU program with the Tournament of Roses Association. The Honda corporation also helped to underwrite the band's trip to the parade.

Kudos to the "Storm" on a tremendous performance and excellent Panther Proud representation of the university to the world.

Persons interested in supporting the Band's future activities may log onto www.pvamu.edu/giving and select the “Other” category and enter “Band Support." All donations are acknowledged by the PVAMU Office of Research and Development. For press inquires, please contact Bryce Hairston Kennard in Public Relations at (936) 261-2134/2121.