ATLANTA, Ga. - When the Spartan Legion takes the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, it will be as one of the best marching bands in the country.
February 4th's HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands in Atlanta is an invitation-only event just in time for Black History Month. It features six of the best bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities — including Norfolk State University.
"This is just the final shebang," said Jaylin Jackson, senior head drum major — also known as "Mr. Spartan — before the band's last rehearsal on Wednesday.
Jackson is joined up front by another senior, Quiara Jackson (no relation), the university's first female drum major.
For both, this performance will be the culmination of what's been an unusually busy season.
The famous marching band, featuring 250 student musicians and staff, played during a street-naming ceremony for Missy Elliott last fall. Then, on January 2, the band appeared on national television marching in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. That's in addition to a number of performances at Spartan home games.
Truth be told, it's been a whirlwind.
"It feels like I'm sort of capping it all off with my senior year, being a drum major at that, so it's like it's all coming to fruition," she told News 3.
For Battle of the Bands, the Spartan Legion will join bands from Alabama State University, Bethune-Cookman University, North Carolina A&T University, South Carolina State University and Tennessee State University, along with two high school marching bands.
To stand out, NSU's directors have put together an exciting show. The theme? It's a secret until showtime.
"We are premiering music from two wonderful artists that you know internationally and so the show is going to be fun," said Stephanie Sanders, Associate Director of Bands at Norfolk State University. "It's been a wonderful challenge for the kids because it's a lot of music."
And they've only had around two and a half weeks to learn it, along with formations on the field. Sanders says they jumped in right after returning from the Rose Bowl.
"I'm excited for the Spartan Legion to be showcased and for the world to see," she said.
The HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday. You can watch it by clicking here.
