Howard University Marching Band to escort Harris to inauguration

Howard University (HU) announced this week that it will have a role to play in the inauguration of the former vice president-elect Kamala harrisKamala Harris Senate Majority Offers Biden New Avenues on Trump’s Environmental Setbacks Empire State Building lights up on eve of Biden’s inauguration to honor COVID-19 victims READ: Letter from Harris resigning from Senate before the inauguration MORE, with his famous fanfare that will escort the former senator during the historic event.

The university said its Showtime Marching Band would escort Harris to the opening Wednesday and “perform a special drum beat for the parade.”

“We are very honored to participate in the historic inauguration of the President-elect Joe bidenJoe Biden: Woman accused of attempting to sell Pelosi laptop to arrested Russians Trump gets lowest job approval rating in recent days as President Trump decides to lift travel restrictions on coronavirus in Europe and Brazil and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, ”Howard University President Wayne AI Frederick said in a statement. “Throughout her career, the Vice President-Elect has carried her Howard education with her, ensuring she adheres to truth and service and inspiring her to achieve unprecedented levels of excellence.

“It is perfectly fitting that the Showtime Marching Band, the ensemble that captures and resonates the heartbeat of our institution, accompany it on this final leg of its journey to the White House,” said Frederick.

“It is this constant pulse of her Alma Mater’s legacy that has propelled her forward, and it is this same rhythm that will move her forward as she will undoubtedly become one of the most senior vice-presidents. most influential in our nation’s history, ”he added.

The school said in its announcement on Monday that his group would have its “drums, Flashy Flag Squad and Ooh La La dancers in the inaugural parade, representing less than a third of the group for safety measures,” given the ongoing pandemic. .

Kelvin Washington, the school’s group principal, said he was “proud to unite in safety” to “represent Howard University, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and all HBCUs across the country.

Once Harris is sworn in on Wednesday, she will become the first woman, black American and South Asian American, to become the country’s vice president. However, there are other glass ceilings the former senator will shatter during her inauguration later this week, including being the first to graduate from a historically black university and the first member of a historically African-American organization. to Greek letters to fill this post.

Harris studied political science and economics at HU before graduating from college in 1986. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), the country’s oldest African-American sorority. , where she was also initiated during her stay in HU.

She gave both institutions credit for playing an important role in her transformation into the woman she is today.

According to a press release from the school, the inauguration of Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony will mark the first time that a large portion of the student group have come together since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Washington, who has performed in past inaugural parades before, has said he’s ready.

“I had the pleasure of performing as a student at Southern University in 1980 for the inauguration of former President Ronald Reagan, then as Associate Director of the Howard University Band for former President. Barack obamaBarack Hussein Obama Biden faces monumental task to heal divided country Garth Brooks to perform Biden swearing-in ceremony Obama honors MLK day: ‘He never gave in to violence, no ‘never waved a treacherous flag’ and now this would be my third, ”he said in a statement.

Courtney Gilliam, a graduate student in women’s studies at the university who is also co-captain of the Flashy Flag Squad, said her team had also “conditioned, learned throws and practiced orchestral dances since last summer in our countries. respective houses.

“So, finally, hearing the heartbeat of the group, even to this small degree, is powerful for the whole group, and I’m sure the student body will be delighted to see their peers help usher in our comrade Bison,” she said. .

“I think the amendments to this year’s inaugural events are appropriate for the times we live in. I had been looking forward for months to see how Howard University would be included in this momentous inauguration, and it’s great to know that we are able to safely perform traditional events and be represented as the marching band. and the musical heart of the vice-president’s Alma. Mater, ”she also said.

“As the first of many progressive elections / inaugurations for women, it is euphoric to be involved. I am more than happy to be able to participate with the Flashy Flag Squad, Ooh La La Dancers and the percussion section ”, she added.