THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409070179
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: Larry W. Browm, Staff writer
LENGTH: Long : 191 lines
On an average late August morning, the area around Norfolk State University's Fine Arts building is like a three-ring circus.
In the parking lot near the building's rear, 12 young women practice moves to a dance routine, while to their right, another group of young women endlessly twirls red flags. Both groups stop every so often to correct mistakes.
And just inside the crowded band room, horns, chants, drum beats and the bass of the sousaphones mix in an effort band members hope will excite what for now is only an imaginary crowd.
The three groups make up Norfolk State's marchng band, The Spartan Legion. They are gathered on campus a week before classes start for band camp, the annual summer rehearsal designed to whip members into shape for the football seson.
The band is best known to Norfolk State students, and in the area, as the high-stepping, show-stopping group that often makes halftime more enjoyable than the game itself.
While it may seem like fun and games to those in the stands, band members say there is more to being on a college marching band than just hitting the right notes.
It takes a lot of dedication and most of your free time. No, all of your free time, says Tarvaris Taylor, a second-year member of Hot Ice, the Legion's dancers. ``We're sometimes here until 11:30 at night.''
Taylor, who was on the track team at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, said performing in the band can be as tough as playing a sport.
``This is more in depth,'' she said. ``It's harder than an athletic practice. You're constantly in the sun.''
Kenya Lewis, a second-year piccolo player, uses the band's lunch break as her chance to rest in one of the building's halls.
``The enthusiasm's the best part of the band,'' she said, propping her legs on a chair. ``If you have the right spirit, it's not that hard.''
Saxophone section leader DeCarlo Woodhouse agrees with Lewis. He said band camp is crucial to preparing members for the season, which lasts through November.
``We're getting together to learn the code (the Legion) abides by,'' said Woodhouse, a second-year band member. ``We have our standards. The rookies are here to learn that.''
College bands are known for the endless practice hours. At NSU, band members run, stretch and exercise in order to prepare for the rigors of performing a show.
``Band camp involves more work to get back in shape and get back to what the Legion's all about,'' Woodhouse said.
The Spartan Legion has a reputation for setting high goals. The band's dedication to maintaining that tradition has led to local and national recognition.
NSU students, alumni and fans have become all too familiar with the cry ``Behold, the Green and the Gold'' when the band enters the field for their halftime show. Audience members join in with the voice of the Spartan Legion, announcer Jim Staton, to create a ``call-and-response'' effect at the games.
In 1992 the band was ranked No. 5 among bands from predominantly black colleges in USA Today. But the praise doesn't stop there.
Nearly two weeks ago the band was asked to play for Knoxville College, which does not have a band, at the Capital City Classic in Columbus, Ohio.
Head band director Alzie F. Walker II said the students in the 130-piece band, as well as his staff, work hard to keep a top-notch band.
``Discipline is an important factor,'' Walker said. ``Student leaders help to form the proper attitude for discipline and leadership. They're focused on the goals of the band program.''
Walker said he intends to produce the best and most mature band possible.
``The main focus that I want is the personal development of each person as an individual thinker,'' he said, ``(in order) to create a vision for young people and help them be responsible personally and academically.''
Marching in the band helps students become better citizens by teaching them virtues such as responsibility, Walker said. ``The idea is to produce a quality person, and a quality person makes a quality band.''
Staton, the voice of the Spartan Legion for 30 years, said the band has evolved into a major force among marching bands around the country.
``The quality down here's going to be extremely high,'' Staton said. ``That's a watchword here - quality.''
During band camp new members learn about the level of quality the Spartan Legion expects, Staton said. At the camp members do not just learn music and field maneuvers, Staton said.
``Mr. Walker has had to indoctrinate them into the marching style and philosophy of this band,'' Staton said.
The Spartan Legion was more of a low-profile band during the 1970s, Staton said. But under the direction of Emory Fears, who retired several years ago, the band ``took off to another level.''
``He's the one who put this band on the map,'' Staton said.
Walker, who was one of Fears' students and later, an assistant, continued the tradition when he took over the reins from Fears. In the past few years some of the band's activities have included performing at the Scope, marching in the governor's inaugural parade and playing at Caesar's Palace in New Jersey.
Fourth-year trombone player Jason Meredith said the band's code helps keep the organization ahead of other college bands.
``Our band never goes down because we stick to one program,'' Meredith said. ``It's a system that works. . . . it's called tradition.''
One of the band's rules during all rehearsals is for members to wear heavy combat-style boots.
``The boots are a sign of strength,'' dancer Tarvaris Taylor said. ``It gets your legs conditioned if you come out here every day.''
Before the band rehearses the movements to their drills and dance routine, the drum majors - Kenneth W. Garrick, alias ``Mr. Spartan,'' and Gary G. Garner, alias `` Captain Soul'' - lead them through a series of stretching exercises.
Under the hot sun they go over their halftime show - again and again - until every move and each note is correct.
The heavy practice schedule sometimes proves to be too much for new members, but Staton said band staff and upperclassmen work to help them through.
``A lot of kids come in here thinking they can't hang. It's a matter of dealing with self-esteem,'' Staton said.
Freshman Daniel Tucker said he did not let the hard work stand in his way from joining the band.
``This band, the whole band itself (impressed me). They just have that quality,'' said Tucker, who plays snare drum. ``It takes a lot of practice and dedication.''
Staton said the type of students who make up the band change from year to year.
``Over the years, the attitudes (of the students) have changed,'' he said. ``Once they're introduced to the way things are done, they adjust their attitude or they leave.''
``You really have to have it in your heart and take time to think about it before joining,'' Taylor said. ``But it pays off in the end, on Saturday after the show.''
Gloria Blair, an NSU senior who is starting her second year dancing with Hot Ice, said despite the hard work, the band is like a fun family.
``You get a thrill,'' she said. ``As long as you work and maintain a positive mental attitude, everything pulls together.''
The rehearsals also prepare the Spartan Legion for other bands they might face during the season. For many college marching bands, the halftime competition can be just as fierce as the football matchup.
``People go to the restroom before halftime,'' Staton said. ``They know they can expect to be entertained during halftime. If it's a visiting band they know something is in store.''
But Woodhouse said other bands are all treated equally. ``Our main goal is not competition. Our main goal is to look good.''
Walker said the band strives to create its own identity during the football season.
``We don't try to be like other bands,'' he said. ``There's a mystique about us . . . that's right in front of your face. That's what I love about it.''
Staton believes the Spartan Legion's achievements are a reflection on both the university and the city.
``This band is one of the things that's made the city of Norfolk great,'' Staton said. ``We really are an extension of the Chamber of Commerce.
``This band is the torch bearer for the university from the public relations sense. It's an example of this school's commitment to academic and entertainment excellence,'' Staton added.
Walker said fans can expect what they have been getting in the past, and maybe a little more. ``I try to be creative,'' he said.
He added that the Spartan Legion remembers its audience and does not focus on being just a ``boogie band'' like many other black college bands.
Dancer Gloria Blair said all the Spartan Legion members are working hard through camp and the rest of the season to put on a good show for the fans.
``We're out to educate and show what we do best,'' she said. ``It's going to be a good, satisfying season.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by Mort Fryman
After a grueling camp, Norfolk State's marching band is ready to
dazzle fans.[color cover photo]
Members of the horn section of the Spartan Legion get ready to march
at camp. The band, which has a tradition that has led to local and
national recognition, will perform through November.
Above: Alzie F. Walker directs the band. His goal is to produce the
best and most mature band possible. Right: Fourth-year student
Thomas Thorogood plays the trumpet while marching.
At NSU, band members run, stretch and exercise to prepare for the
rigors of performing. Here, James Jenkins and Shaaye Southarf,
wearing the required combat-style boots to get their legs in shape,
limber up before practice begins. For many college bands, the
halftime competition can be as fierce as the football matchup.
Mike Graves, a second-year member of the 130-piece band, practices
on the bass drum. The Spartan Legion has evolved into a major force
among the country's marching bands. During camp, new members learn
about the level of quality the band expects. Members go over their
halftime show, again and again, until every move and note is
correct.
Staff photo by IAN MARTIN
Members of Norfolk State's marching band are sporting new uniforms
this year.
by CNB