Dunbar Crimson Tide to shine in Obama parade
Brittany Hutson/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 1/18/09 Section: Cover
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Chambers is fond of having his weekends to himself; however, he would have to forfeit a Sunday morning at home to lead his students through a practice route down on Pennsylvania Avenue. The inauguration parade was nine days away and it was time to get serious.
It was a grueling wait for Chambers as he kept his phone close and his ears alert. He and his staff submitted a video of Dunbar's Crimson Tide marching band to the presidential inauguration committee a week before Thanksgiving. Dunbar had to stand out against 1,382 organizations to secure a slot in the 56th presidential inauguration. Competition was intense as Dunbar vied against local competitors Ballou Senior High School, Coolidge Senior High School, Eastern Senior High School, and Cardozo Senior High School for bragging rights and prestige.
But Dunbar had some advantages on their side. The school was founded as the first public high school for African Americans in the country in 1870. The band participated in events like the National Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival in St. Petersburg, Fl. last year, and at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fl. three years ago. They have won over 125 awards over the last four and a half years. The flood of recommendation letters from D.C.'s Chairman Vincent Gray-alumus of Dunbar-Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Gray, Councilman Michael Brown, and Councilwoman Eleanor Holmes Norton didn't hurt either.
The presidential inauguration committee started doing their rounds on Friday, December 5th notifying bands of their acceptance. Chambers did not get the call he wanted. Then, the following Tuesday, Chambers' phone went off during practice. It was the call he was waiting for. The call he had lost sleep over.
"I was on the brink of tears," he said when he got the official word of Dunbar's invitation. "The kids went crazy, they were so excited. We were dancing, doing go-go's…" he laughed, trailing off as he recalled that electrifying moment. "I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm going to be famous! I'm going to be on TV!" recalled 15-year-old Myron Wilkins. "It was a great surprise and we were blessed to be selected."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Khalil
posted 1/20/09 @ 5:45 PM EST
I watched this particular school during the Inauguration. On this proud day, I am sad to say that I was offended and ashamed to watch the dancers. The routine was tasteless. (Continued…)
Jmpeareng
posted 9/11/09 @ 12:21 AM EST
Well i don't think they dancers "SHOOK THEIR ASSES" like you said. I was a member of the Dunbar Band and half of the things you guys had to say about the band and the way it is, is false and I was disappointed in the way you guys refer to the band director as "BALD HEAD" is that the way reporters write and report things these days? The Band was better before Mr. (Continued…)
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