Courtesy of Wilberforce University
The 147 member WU band, under the direction of Dr. Virgil Goodwine, will perform in New Orleans beginning Saturday, February 18th. The history of the Mardi Gras Parade,Ā complete with marching bands and rolling floats,Ā began in 1857 as a secret society called the Mistick Krewe of Comus.Ā Ā The first year WU marching band was selected to participate after several YouTube videos caught the attention ofĀ nationally known college band captains with connections to the Mardi Gras.
āI built a band program at a high school, actually for an entire district in Michigan. To do it again is, at this college levelĀ is historyĀ repeating itself just at a higher level,ā said Dr. Virgil Goodwine, WU band director. āIām onlyĀ doing what IāmĀ supposed to do. I amĀ supposedĀ to raise the barĀ wherever I go.ā
Dr. Goodwine says for historicallyĀ Black college and universityĀ marching bands (HBCUs), the Mardi Gras Parade invitationĀ compares to being asked to participateĀ in the Rose Bowl Parade. This is the first year that Wilberforce has had a marching band and its reputationĀ as a quality, upper tier program has grown quickly through the college band performanceĀ arena.