Time to Say Goodbye to Platinum Sound for the Season

As the famous singer Chris Brown would say, "There's never a right time to say goodbye," but that time has quickly approached for the members of the Platinum Sound marching band.  On Saturday, November 5, 2011 the band performed at its last game of the season against St. Augustine's College.  The game turned out to be a joyous occasion, and a great bang to end the season, the football team beat the opponents 20-16.  The marching band season started this year over the summer on July 1, when the band began band camp.  During band camp members learned new music, exercised, learned band commands, and met new people. The band has experienced great success this season, giving excellent performances everywhere they went. 

            Members of the band had mixed emotions when the topic turned to the end of the season.  Head drum major Charles Robinson stated that "This marching season has been a great success and that this was probably the best season he has ever marched with Shaw University. " First year drum major Josh Garner recapped his experiences of this year saying that " This has been a great year, and a great experience for me, and I can't wait until next year to be a Platinum Sound drum major again. " One of Platinum Sound's drum majors, Naomi Drake, actually attends North Carolina State University, but loves the Shaw University marching band so much that she decided to march here without receiving a scholarship. Drake, a senior at NC State, summed up her memories of her last year marching here at Shaw by stating  "This band has given me more fond memories than I ever could have gotten from NC State.  I'm going to miss this band, and next year I'm going to try to see as many performances as I possibly can. " 

            Other members of the band expressed happiness at the thought of the end of the season.  Sophomore cymbal player Xebian Smith commented that he was happy that the season was over because "Now I can get a job for next semester and focus more on my school work. " Although the marching season is over, band director Charles Brown told his students not to slack off ,and sleep for the whole afternoon just because there is no more band practice.  "I want the students to use this time off to focus on their school work, and catch up in any class that they may have fallen behind in during the season. " 

            Although the marching season is over for Platinum Sound, enthusiastic band followers should not be deterred.  The Shaw University pep band is about to start in about two more weeks so that it can keep the basketball team motivated at the games during the basketball season.  Band goers can also look forward to the concert band, who is working diligently so that they can give an excellent performance in the near future.  On behalf of the Bear family, we would like to thank Platinum Sound for giving us an outstanding season!