LORMAN, Miss. (WLBT) – The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite are gearing up to embark on a historic journey to the Big Apple.<\/p>\n
After months of preparation, Alcorn State University\u2019s band is headed to perform in the 99th annual Macy\u2019s Thanksgiving Day Parade.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can expect, okay, that\u2019s Mississippi. That\u2019s Alcorn. That\u2019s SOD. You know, we definitely wanted to bring our flavor, but at the same time just represent in a good way, in a positive way. So, it\u2019s going to be exciting. We\u2019re going to play some nice catchy tunes, we\u2019re going to do a little dab or two here and there. I think people are going to enjoy it,\u201d Band Director Dr. Everson Martin said. <\/p>\n
Students in the band are excited to show off their talent and hard work on the national stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cTraveling this far and being a part of the Macy\u2019s parade that I would usually see on TV, that\u2019s like, dang, that\u2019s not real,\u201d Lola Nogzi, sophomore band student, said.<\/p>\n
Supporters on campus gave the band a roaring send off.<\/p>\n
Martin said the community raised over $500,000 to make this trip happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community support is so important. It\u2019s everything. You\u2019re talking about raising half a million dollars. You can\u2019t do that alone, you know,\u201d continued Martin. \u201cSo, it took a lot of support from the community, parents, alumni, supporters, just friends of friends, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The band made stops in Port Gibson, Vicksburg, and Clinton before heading to New York City.<\/p>\n
Martin and his students are ready to step into the spotlight and showcase just what the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite have to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not us? We\u2019re just as good. We need the opportunity; we need the exposure. So, this feeling right here, I think about accomplished,\u201d Martin added.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that we\u2019re actually getting the recognition that we\u2019re getting now, it kind of feels rewarding to the fact that people actually see us,\u201d Carmello Miles, sophomore band student, said. <\/p>\n
Next time you see them, they\u2019ll be performing on one of the biggest stages in America. <\/p>\n
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