Marching For MLK Day
Halftime Magazine| January/February 2017

Everyone loves a parade. Participating in a parade for Martin Luther King Jr. Day is even more fitting to celebrate his message of inclusion.

Elizabeth Geli
Marching For MLK Day

“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In his last sermon before being assassinated in 1968, civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the “drum major instinct” that may cause people to lead for the sake of recognition. He encouraged the congregation to achieve greatness through service and love instead.

King’s legacy now serves as the inspiration for parades across the United States. These parades don’t just honor his work for the African-American Civil Rights Movement but celebrate his status as a worldwide symbol of nonviolence, peace, diversity, and acceptance. These off-season events allow marching bands of all kinds to perform for fun and focus on service, camaraderie, and community.

MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATIONS

The march from Selma to Montgomery or the March on Washington where King made his “I Have a Dream” speech are some of the most iconic moments of his legacy—and years later his birthday is celebrated with more joyous marching in parades large and small.

“Dr. King’s legacy is honored and celebrated in many ways, but in my opinion a parade is the perfect form to literally bring people together in harmony to celebrate his legacy and what it meant to them in their own way,” says Charles Stamps, founder of the MLK Grande Parade in Houston, Texas.

While some MLK Day parades started out as primarily cultural celebrations of the African-American community, many have grown to include everyone in a multicultural celebration of this American icon.

Denne historien er fra January/February 2017-utgaven av Halftime Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January/February 2017-utgaven av Halftime Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HALFTIME MAGAZINESe alt
Vandegrift High School
Halftime Magazine

Vandegrift High School

When Mozart composed “The Magic Flute,” he likely didn’t envision a 386-member marching band and dance company performing the famous opera.

time-read
4 mins  |
January/February 2020
Captain Of Her Own Destiny
Halftime Magazine

Captain Of Her Own Destiny

During my first season of high school marching band as a freshman trumpet player at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas, I hardly noticed the four girls twirling flags at the back of the field.

time-read
3 mins  |
January/February 2020
VARSITY SPIRIT
Halftime Magazine

VARSITY SPIRIT

A major new player has entered into the marching arts activity. See how Varsity Spirit, known for cheerleading apparel, competitions, and camps, has already made an impact to elevate the student experience.

time-read
7 mins  |
January/February 2020
THE AMBULANCE ARENA
Halftime Magazine

THE AMBULANCE ARENA

Know how and why to activate the Emergency Medical Service for your event.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2020
KEEP IN TOUCH
Halftime Magazine

KEEP IN TOUCH

Group management tools help band directors communicate information, share photos, videos, and files, and even manage finances at their fingertips.

time-read
6 mins  |
January/February 2020
TARPS ON THE FIELD
Halftime Magazine

TARPS ON THE FIELD

Used in various shapes, sizes, and colors, tarps help marching groups transform the football field into their own stage.

time-read
6 mins  |
November/December 2019
THE DRUM MAJOR LIFECYCLE
Halftime Magazine

THE DRUM MAJOR LIFECYCLE

From aspiring hopeful to drum major, from student to teacher, and from motivated to motivator, a drum major grows by leaps and bounds during her time on the podium with the University of Delaware and with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy.

time-read
4 mins  |
November/December 2019
SPIRIT & SYNERGY
Halftime Magazine

SPIRIT & SYNERGY

With formations of giant stick figures doing the “floss,”

time-read
8 mins  |
November/December 2019
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Halftime Magazine

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The University of Southern California ( U S C )Trojan Marching Band (TMB) has many nicknames:

time-read
5 mins  |
November/December 2019
REVIEWING GAME DAY SECURITY
Halftime Magazine

REVIEWING GAME DAY SECURITY

Safety first! Both host and visiting bands must join forces with administrators and security personnel to create a positive event experience.

time-read
8 mins  |
November/December 2019