The famed Grambling State University (GSU) Tiger Marching Band is leading the 57th African American Day Parade (AADP), which will take place Sept. 20 in Harlem.
The band has a long history with the parade, dating back to its early years, when it made its first appearance in 1969. Since then, the marching band has participated in the parade over the year, including in 1993 at the event’s 25th anniversary.
The Louisiana historically Black university will appear as part of the celebration of GSU’s 125th anniversary and the Tiger Marching Band’s 100th anniversary.
In a recent interview with the AmNews, the band’s director, Dr. Nikole Roebuck, said the Tiger Marching Band is well-prepared.
“The band is very excited. The band staff is very excited,” she said. “We’re geared up and we’re ready to come and do what we do all the time.”
Band members have been rehearsing since arriving for band camp in July, preparing for GSU’s football season and performing in halftime shows. So far this season, Grambling has faced Clark Atlanta University and Central State University.
While Roebuck did not reveal any details about the marching band’s performance, she said the trip is beneficial not only to the local community but also to the band students. Many of them will be taking their first trip to New York City, a far cry from the rural Louisiana community where Grambling is located.
“For many of our students, this will be their first time flying on a plane.,” Roebuck said.
Since New York City is a long way from any historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Roebuck said that while the parade appearance is a crowd-pleaser, it’s also a recruiting tool. Thousands of high school students and parents attend the parade, and seeing the Tiger Marching Band is a recruitment opportunity for GSU.
“Every time we perform, we know it’s always not just a performance, but recruitment is always factored in,” Roebuck said. “This is a historical moment for the World Famed Tiger Marching Band. It’s our centennial year [and] to come back and march in the African American Day Parade is another historical milestone for us.”
Along with their historic trip to this year’s parade, Roebuck is living history herself. She was named the first woman to serve as director of bands in 2019 at GSU and also serves as the school’s music department chair. Roebuck is the third woman to lead an HBCU marching band, joining Tomisha Brock of Clark Atlanta University and Dr. Kerry Anne Simon of Mississippi Valley State University.
A Grambling State graduate herself, Roebuck marched in the Tiger Marching Band, playing the clarinet. She received her master’s degree in music from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and her Ph.D. in music education from the University of Memphis in 2009.
Prior to her current position, Roebuck taught at GSU for 12 years while serving as an assistant band director.
“To be the first female director of bands at Grambling State University is such an honor,” she said. “Words cannot describe what I feel each day when I go into the band room to lead the students and have an impact on their lives.”
As for the African American Day Parade, she wants New Yorkers to be ready for a performance they will never forget.
“My message to everyone who’s going to show up for the parade is the same message everywhere we go; we will be ready to show up and definitely show out.”
