Dunbar Crimson Tide to shine in Obama parade

The District's Shaw neighborhood was silent in the wee morning hours Sunday-except for the crooning of a trumpet and drum cadence coming from Paul Lawrence Dunbar Senior High School. Rodney Chambers stood at the top the stairs a few feet away from the school's entrance, dressed in jeans, a mesh overcoat, and hood wrapped tightly around his bald head. He gazed down surveying the area, waiting for the students of Dunbar's marching band as they trekked sluggishly through the main doors.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."

"Hopefully, we'll represent Washington, D.C. and Barack Obama as good as he'll want us to [because] we play out hearts out," added the drum agent and baritone player.

Prior to Chambers' arrival to Dunbar four and a half years ago, the band was down and out. According to Jaime Williams, auxiliary director for the dancers and flag girls, Chambers has revitalized Dunbar's band.

"When I was at other places, Dunbar wasn't looked at as a threat," recalled Williams, who joined the band's staff two years ago. "I have to commend [Chambers] and the staff because he set a goal and the staff went with him."

Dunbar is the only high school in the District marching in the parade. They will be joined by the Howard University Showtime marching band.

"To know that we're the only [high school] in D.C., it makes me happy and makes me proud to be an African-American," said 16 year-old Myisha Rice. "It makes me want to work harder and set a lot of goals for myself."

"I think it's awesome we get to be apart of history," said Freda Warren. The 18-year-old clarinet player has lost friends to gang violence. For her, she is humbled by the opportunity. "I'm proud to see another day and to be able to perform at the inauguration.