Tremendous Bowl Opening Night time kicked off Monday, Feb. 3, celebrating soccer followers nationwide gearing up for Tremendous Bowl LIX. The occasion captured New Orleans’ vibrant tradition because the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs made a grand entrance into Caesars Superdome, greeted by the wealthy symphony of the St. Augustine Excessive College Marching 100. This powerhouse band delivered a surprising efficiency for New Orleans and followers nationwide, setting the stage for the yr’s largest soccer occasion.
The Marching 100 has come a great distance since its inception within the Nineteen Fifties—successful a GRAMMY in 2022 and performing in Normandy, France, for D-Day’s eightieth anniversary final yr. This yr, the internationally acclaimed band took heart stage with New Orleans proudly by their aspect.
Kendall T. Crawford, Director of Scholar Affairs & Exterior Engagement at St. Augustine Excessive College, mentioned having the Marching 100 characterize the town of New Orleans on a nationwide stage is a testomony to their cultural legacy and the town’s wealthy musical custom.
“Their presence at occasions like presidential inaugurations and nationwide parades not solely elevates the town’s musical repute but in addition serves as a robust image of Black excellence and resilience,” Crawford mentioned. “The Marching 100 doesn’t simply carry out—they carry the soul of New Orleans wherever they go, reinforcing the town’s standing as a worldwide epicenter of music and tradition.”
Based in 1952 below Edwin Harrell Hampton’s course on the all-boys Catholic St. Augustine Excessive College, the Marching 100 started with simply 20 musicians. It now boasts a worldwide repute—acting at presidential inaugurations, Mardi Gras celebrations, and the Tremendous Bowl Opening Ceremony—and has nurtured abilities like Jon Batiste.
Aulston Taylor, Principal and CEO of St. Augustine, has led St. Augustine and inspired a tradition of broadening horizons, striving for world influence and dedication to no matter his college students set their minds to.
“Acting at Opening Night time of Tremendous Bowl LIX was a becoming efficiency for our younger males,” Taylor mentioned. “The Marching 100 was a fantastic illustration for the youth world wide and certainly for the town of New Orleans.”
Recognizing the band’s storied legacy, the NFL invited the Marching 100 to headline the opening occasion and Tremendous Bowl parade—a nod to their longstanding excellence. Acting on this grand stage, steeped in Black cultural affect, marks the fruits of their historic achievements.
Band Director Ray Johnson Sr. acknowledges the Tremendous Bowl as some of the notable phases an artist can carry out on. He mentioned the band’s preparation wasn’t vastly completely different from different practices for prestigious performances—being of their hometown and understanding New Orleans has their again, Johnson and the Marching 100 simply had to determine how they needed the efficiency to be introduced and went from there.
“All the things that we discuss, we put together for and that’s a part of what makes us the very best,” Johnson mentioned. “We all know what to do, we will adapt anytime that we have to, and we will make the efficiency occur.”
The Tremendous Bowl’s iconic stage champions Black excellence, echoing the legacies of influential performers and athletes over its almost 60-year historical past. For St. Augustine and the Marching 100, this efficiency is greater than a singular occasion—it’s a stepping stone to broader recognition and new alternatives. Empowered by this highlight, younger band members are poised to turn into tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.
“The band has all the time been a logo of Black excellence, inspiring generations via self-discipline, musicianship and civic delight,” Crawford mentioned. “Their performances at Mardi Gras, [New Orleans] Saints video games and nationwide occasions have set an ordinary within the marching band world, influencing each native traditions and bands nationwide.”
Principal Taylor has his sights set far and large for the brilliant way forward for the Marching 100. He mentioned the Tremendous Bowl has such a big attain, he may envision performances on the Rose Bowl, and even in South Africa and China.
“Every efficiency irrespective of how huge or small persistently results in new alternatives for our younger males,” Taylor mentioned.
The Marching 100’s vibrant performances transcend mere music—they rework communities, energize New Orleans and unite the Black neighborhood. Their artistry embodies hope, resilience and the enduring spirit of cultural empowerment.
“I inform the scholars to make recollections and cherish them as a result of this can be a once-in-a-lifetime factor that you just get an opportunity to do,” Johnson mentioned. “Not all people can say they’ve carried out for the Tremendous Bowl or have gone midway world wide to carry out with their group, so embracing your alternatives is important.”
You may watch EBONY’s unique 3-part documentary on the Marching 100’s “The Highway to Normandy” right here.
