By Charles Anyanwu

The Parade

Earlier this month on Saturday, October 8th, Delaware State’s own University marching band, The Approaching Storm, took to the streets of Disney’s Magic Kingdom for the HBCU Week Parade!

Following the band’s performance at the HBCU Week Career Fair along with their live performance on ESPN’s First Take the day prior, The Approaching Storm made a thunderous impression at the HBCU Week Parade.

Fellow HBCU Alcorn State opened the parade, then the Delaware State marching band closed out the parade. 

As the band marched through the streets of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, around the famed Cinderella’s Castle, the band drew a slew of parkgoers.  With many park enthusiasts stopping to watch, the Approaching Storm put on a thrilling performance for the many Disney families and Delaware State Alumni in attendance.

The Battle of the Bands

On the Final day of HBCU Week, the band was finally ready to show what they were made of at arguably the biggest event of HBCU Week, the Battle of the Bands.  Hosted by DSU Alumni, Content Creator and Host Blake Saunders aka “Blake the Brain,” the Approaching Storm put all of their hard work and preparation into practice as they went head to head against some of the best HBCU Bands!

The band faced off against the likes of North Carolina A & T, Alcorn State University, and Winston-Salem University to name a few. Many came down to Florida to show their support, including Delaware State President Tony Allen and a swarm of Hornet Alumni.

The Delaware State marching band hit the field at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, ready to take the world by Storm! Once the event kicked off the competition was fierce, but the Approaching Storm held their own giving the crowd a stand-up performance.

After the battle, drumline Bass Drummer Michael Cobb had a lot to say about the event. 

“Our performance was great. We practiced, we practiced and we practiced. And when we came down to Florida we had time to practice, because we always work and strive to be great….Being at HBCU Week is a great opportunity for all of us…just playing with all these other bands is fantastic. There are a lot of skilled players (at the event), but right now I’m here for DSU and we’re gonna bring what we bring.” 

Following the Approaching Storm’s performance in Orlando, they took their show to the last big performance of their season at Delaware State University’s Homecoming against North Carolina Central University (NCCU).