Approaching Storm Band performs at Madison Square Gardens

Courtesy of Delaware State University

The Approaching Storm Marching Band made University history recently by making its debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Thirty members of the Approaching Storm Band traveled to the Big Apple on March 22 to perform at halftime during the NBA game between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks.

For images of the Approaching Storm NYC visit, click on the below link:

The opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden (MSG) came about through the University’s Alumni Association Chapter in New York, which connected the Band with the MSG to arrange the Del State halftime performance as part of HBCU Night at the legendary arena.

Sidney Sessoms, who is winding up his first year as the Del State Director of University Bands, said it was a great opportunity.

“An event like this helps with recruitment, notoriety and exposure,” Mr. Sessoms said. “And I am happy for the kids who are not from areas like New York City and get a chance to experience this. This one of the best part of this job. Not just the making of music, but being able to provide students with opportunities that they otherwise might not have.”

The Band left the campus shortly before 8 a.m. on a chartered bus. Once there, the musicians had a chance to work around the portion of Manhattan near the MSG prior to their afternoon run-through of their performance.

“This is different,” said Raycheal Ringold, a senior social work major from Wilmington, who plays the baritone horn.” The biggest thing we did before this was play in the Battle of the Bands (during HBCU Week) in Wilmington in 2019.”

This is the biggest venue I’ve performed in,” said Elijah Shy, a senior music education major from East Orange, N.J., who serves as the band’s Drum Major. “So this is a good way to end my senior year with the band.”

Jaden Adkins, a music performance major from Dover and a tuba player, said it is a “lifetime opportunity” to perform at a New York Knicks game. “Not many people can say that they performed at an NBA game on national television,” he said.

Victoria Diaz-Hanzer, a junior agriculture business major from Georgetown, Del., and piccolo player said she did not truly feel the magnitude of it until the afternoon run-through practice.

“It really didn’t hit me until we walked out there and saw the level of where we were playing in front of a big crowd,” she said

Because the game was a sellout, the band song performed “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” in front almost 20,000 fans.

Malik Maillard, A junior aviation management major from the Virgin Islands and a tuba player, said he was not nervous about performing.

“It was like an adrenaline feeling with all the people out there cheering for you,” Mr. Maillard said. “It was something fun”

Shawn Jackson, a senior music industry major from Staten Island, N.Y. and quint tenor drums player, said the sell-out crowd was feeling the band. “Once we threw down on that DMX, it was over. They were really loving it,” he said. “I will remember mostly the arena, the electricity that was in the air, the energy from the people, and the experience overall. It was a lot to take in.”

Skyla Ross, sophomore engineering physics major from Baltimore, Md. and percussionist, said she was more focused on her performance and doing the best that she could.

In terms of her biggest memory? “I got to walk through New York City streets. It was very crowded,” Ms. Ross said. “Very different from Baltimore.”