How would you like to work so hard on something constantly, with apparently little or no recognition? These are the sentiments shared by members of the Platinum Sound Marching Band here at Shaw University. Being in the band is a full time job. Not only do they practice daily from 4:30 to 6:30, but they also have sectionals at least two times a week. Moreover, if a member is on scholarship they can have between one to three classes added on to their schedules.
Platinum Sound has been an organization here on campus since 2002. The director of the band is Mr. Charles Brown since the band’s inception at Shaw. The band is comprised of the musicians, The Diamond Sensation dance team, Essence of Pearls flag girls, and various other volunteers that contribute to the great performances.
This season’s drum majors Toya Beckham, Torrey Hunt, Charles Robinson, and Naomi Drake (NC State student) are enthusiastic for the 2010 football season. To start off the year the band traveled to the Queen City Battle of the Bands in Charlotte NC. While there, Shaw took the field with other prestigious historically black colleges and universities such as North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central University, Florida A&M University, South Carolina State, and Johnson C. Smith University.
Freshman Errington Stevens said he was “scared, nervous and excited all at the same time,” when asked how he felt as he took the field in a Shaw University marching band uniform for the first time.
To begin the show, the band played “I go hard in the paint” by Waka Flocka for the drum major introduction. As soon as the band played the first note the stands went crazy with excitement. Of course Platinum Sound added a little creativity to the song.
“We go hard in the Shaw U paint.” Other songs played by Platinum Sound included “All I Do is Win”, “I want to be Your Man”, “Beautiful Monster”, “Show Out”, “No Hands”, and “Running Away”. The whole show Shaw’s band had the crowd on their feet, despite having to play to the other side of the field. At the end of the day it was a great battle. Though no winner was actually crowned all bands came out and represented their schools with honor.
This year the band will be doing a lot more traveling compared to recent years. Of course you can catch your Platinum Sound at your Bears home football games. Aside with that the band is preparing for two battles of the bands. The first coming up on October 17th in Norfolk,Virgina and the other on October 24th at North Carolina A&T. These battles are small steps that are being taken to ensure Shaw a place in this school year’s Honda Battle of The Bands in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the battle of them all, each marching season 45 historically black colleges and universities compete to participate in this battle. Shaw has not been represented in this competition since 2008. Go Shaw University Platinum Sound Marching Band!