Park Forest, Schools

Southland College Prep Band Members Perform In University of Michigan Band Invitational

Southland College Prep Band at University of Mighigan
Members of the Southland College Prep Marching Band who played in the University of Michigan’s famed Marching Band recently are ( l.to r.): Alex Willis, Jada Standors, Jeremiah Price, Maya Armour and Kenneth Haynes. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Richton Park, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Five members of Southland College Prep Charter High School’s marching band performed in the University of Michigan Marching Band Invitational earlier this month when the Wolverines prevailed over the University of Colorado football team.

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“At halftime, when I marched onto that field with the famed University of Michigan Marching Band, it was an indescribable feeling. Here we were, high school kids from Richton Park, Illinois playing before 110,000 fans in the largest stadium in the U.S. at a game being broadcast to millions of others around the world,” said Jada Standors, a senior from Matteson, Illinois who plays trumpet.

“This was a most memorable experience for members of our Marching Band to play in the ranks of the powerhouse of all collegiate marching bands—the 225-member marching band of the University of Michigan,” said Joseph Lawrence, Director of Southland College Prep’s Band.

“It was a real thrill for selected members of Southland’s marching band to join the ranks of a group whose history includes being the first marching band to perform in the Rose Bowl and in 15 subsequent Pasadena events and also play in Yankee Stadium and at several Super Bowls,” Lawrence explained.

Ever since I was a little kid learning to play my trumpet, my biggest dream was to play at the ‘Big House,’ with the University of Michigan’s Marching Band. This was my biggest dream come true,” said Alex Willis, a senior from Park Forest, who plays trumpet.

“This experience was life changing and showed me that anything is possible if you work hard enough,” Willis said.

“I will forever remember this trip, for it taught me so many life lessons, “said Maya Armour, a senior from Matteson who plays saxophone.

“When we arrived for practice it was pouring rain. But that didn’t phase the Michigan Marching Band a bit—they played beautifully.

“When it came time for the traditional pre-game march through public streets to the stadium it was thrilling to see so many fans and tailgaters greeting us,” Armour said.

“ All day long, during our march to the stadium, playing in the half-time and post-game shows, all I could think of was what a tremendous opportunity it was to be welcomed by members of the best college marching bands in the nation,” said Jeremiah Price, a senior from Park Forest who plays trumpet.

“My goal is to play in a marching band when I go to college,” he said.

“I was overjoyed at the opportunity to put on my all white Southland College Prep marching band uniform and play in the Michigan Marching Band Invitational. The University band members were so welcoming and helpful. It was an experience that I’ll never forget,” said Kenneth Haynes, a senior of Country Club Hills, who plays percussion.

“Southland College Prep’s band plays an important role for this new school now in its seventh academic year.

“The band is a wonderful rallying point for the Southland family and the Marching Band section is an especially talented group. We look forward to hearing and seeing them step off at many future community and civic events,” said Dr. Blondean Davis, CEO.

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