Director Dr. Horace R. Carney

Although Dr. Horace R. Carney has directed the internationally known Alabama A&M University Choir since January 2003, his affiliation with the 130-year-old institution dates back to 1990. Since that time, Dr. Carney has served as Chairman of the Department of Music Education; Program Coordinator/Lead; and Interim Chair of the Department of Fine Arts.
A music graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Carney also earned the M.A. degree in music theory from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and the Ph.D. degree in music theory from the University of Iowa in 1981.
In 2002, Carney organized the Alabama A&M University Vocal-Jazz Ensemble in addition to his role as a music educator and administrator. He served as Minister of Music and Coordinator of Cultural Affairs for Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., from 1986-90. Dr. Carney served from 1983-86 as Chairman, Associate Professor of Music, and Chair of the Humanities Division at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
He is a member of the National Association and Society for the Performance of Afro-American Music, American Choral Directors Association, Alabama Teachers of Music Theory, National Association of Negro Musicians, the Society of Music Theory and numerous other associations and organizations.
Carney is the founder and artistic director for Horace R. Carney Jr. Chorale and serves as Minister of Music at Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.

1.    Brandon Eldemire     rb    r-jr    5-8     175     Miami, FL        Krop
2.    Tajze Battle                db    fr       5-10    175    Birmingham
3.    Damion May              qb     fr      6-1      190    Biloxi,MS
4.    Montarious Smith     wr    sr     6-0      170    Birmingham     Jackson-Olin
5.    Brandon Wells           qb    jr      6-3      190    Calera                Calera
6.    Justin Lucas               db    r-so  5-8      170    Notasulga         Notasulga
7.    Danny Johnson         db    fr       6-2      185    Huntsville         Johnson
8.    A.J. Clark                   db    sr       6-2     185     Pensacola, FL  Pine Forest
9.    Tevin McKenzie        wr    fr      5-10    185     Mobile                Murphy
10.    Jaymason Lee         qb    sr      6-1       215    Honolulu
11.    Ricardo Terry
12.    Roderick Randolph wr    fr     6-1      210     Madison             Bob Jones
13.    Devon Johnson        wr    fr     6-1      180    Huntsville          Johnson
14.    Caesar Ramon-Diaz   k    so   5-10    165     Stevenson           North Jackson
15.    Cody Lui-Yuen          qb    fr    6-3      225                                  Honolulu
16.    Rashard Anderson   db    jr    5-10    160    Hazel Green       Hazel Green
17.    Chris Leachman       qb    sr    6-3      180    Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly
18.    Corey Cockrell          db   r-so 5-9      181     Bessemer             Bessemer Poly
19.    O’Darius Williams   wr    jr    6-0     170     Montgomery        Jeff Davis
20.    Dexter Reese          db    r-so  5-9    150      Roanoke                Handley
21.    Marcus Dozier        db    sr      5-9    187      Huntsville              Sparkman
22.
23.    Harvey Harris         rb    r-fr    5-9      165      Montgomery
24.    Justin Brown          db      fr     6-0     245     Huntsville
25.    Nick Carden             p        fr     6-3     190     Huntsville                 Huntsville
26.    Austin Jones          db      jr      6-0     175       Riverwoods, IL        Deerfield
27.    Ja’mel Morris         db    sr       5-9     170      Tuscumbia               Deshler
28.    Vernon Moland      db    fr       6-1     215      Birmingham
29.    Antonio Carey        db   r-fr    5-10    150      Dallas, TX    LG         Pinkston
30.    Brendon Johnson  rb    sr      5-7      180      Atlanta, GA              Carver
31.    Byran Brower          rb    r-fr   5-10     210     Millbrook                 Stanhope Elmore
32.    Bryan Brower         lb    r-fr    5-10     210     Millbrook                Stanhope Elmore
33.    Darrian Graham    lb    r-jr    6-1        200    Russellville               Russellville
34.    Devonte Simon      lb    fr       5-11      170      Redford
35.    Juaquin Davis        lb   r-fr     5-6       160      Garland, TX          Naaman Forest
36.    Charles Buchannon lb   fr    5-10     225
37.    Marceles Clash       rb    fr      6-1       185      Altadena, CA          John Muir
38.
39.    Dominique Goodwin db    fr    5-11    175
40.    Ladarion Heath          wr    fr    6-4     195    Phenix City
41.    Lorenzo Jackson         wr    jr    6-2     195
42.    Kevin Atwood              lb    fr     6-3     245
43.    Daveon Dillard            lb    fr     5-10    205
44.    Alvintae Kirksey        r b    so    6-1      226    Mobile        Murphy
45.    Tavion Thompson      te    fr      6-5    245
46.    Jemel Harper             te    r-so  6-1     210     Madison
47.    Diondre Lewis            lb    sr      6-1     215     Miami, FL    Fla. Atlantic
48.    Kellen Battles                     jr
49.    Virgin Johnson           lb   r-fr   5-10  220     Orangeburg, SC Orangeburg Walker
50.
51.    Devin Andrews            ls    fr      6-2      255      Hazel Green    Hazel Green
52.    Kenneth Davis            lb    fr      5-10     225
53.    Germaine Calmes      lb    sr      6-1       230    Matteson, IL    Rich Central
54.    Conard Johnson        lb    sr      6-0      230
55.
56.    Embrel Vaughn         lb    jr       6-0      228      Jackson             Jackson
57.
58.    David Dagrin              de    jr     6-3        200    Miami, FL           Jackson
59.    Chazz Wilson             ol    r-fr   6-2        285     New Orleans, LA John Curtis
60.    Tyler Davis                 ol    fr      6-2         290
61.    Courtney Brown        ol    r-so    6-0       290    Birmingham       Lovejoy
62.    Akeem Samuels        ol    r-fr     6-2       280    Miami FL            American
63.    Jawanza Vickers       dl    sr                                 Enterprise          Enterprise
64.    Baron Hobbs             ol    jr        6-2       290     St. Louis, MO     LA Valley JC
65.    Austin Boyle              ol    jr        6-1        300     Huntsville            Buckhorn
66.    Adrian Saterfield      ol    jr        6-3       290     Milton, FL          New Mexico Military
67.
68.    Alan Cruz                   ol    sr        6-5    328        Huntsville          Buckhorn
69.
70.    Devin Dobbins          ol    jr          6-1    310       Oklahoma City OK  Millwood
71.    James Driver             ol    r-so      6-6    314       Queens, NY        Campus Magnet
72.
73.
74.    Winston Hunt            ol    sr         6-7    310       Wetumpka            New Mexico Military
75.
76.    Austin Simmons       ol    so        6-7    350        Montgomery       Alabama Christian
77.
78.    Malcolm Johnson      ol    r-fr    6-2    300        Jonesboro, GA     Lovejoy
79.
80.
81.    Clarence Jones            te      jr    6-2                      Kansas City MO    Olathe NW
82.    Justin Jackson            wr    sr    6-3     185          Daphne                   Daphne
83.    Derrick Square            wr    sr    6-3    181           Birmingham          Parker
84.    Kalias Robertson        wr    r-fr  6-4    187          Tuscaloosa             Central
85.    Raener Fleming          te     jr      6-3     280        Birmingham
86.
87.    Jonathan Dorsey          te    jr     6-6      215         Tuskegee
88.    Octayvius Miles            wr    fr    5-7    185           Birmingham Pleasant Grove
89.
90.    Anthony Lanier            de    sr    6-6    260         Savannah, GA     Jenkins
91.
92.    Dominique Wright      dl    sr     6-2    220          Hallandale FL    Hallandale
93.    Areka Jackson             dl    jr      6-3    300           Valley                 Valley
94.    Ricky Clarke                 dl    so    6-2    325            Athens GA    Cedar Shoals
95.    Averee Giles                 dl    fr
96.    Kailan Jackson            dl    fr
97.
98.    Jordan Puente             k    jr      6-1     215            San Luis Mexico  Columbia
99.    Corey Johnson           dl    jr      6-3    205             Anniston    Anniston

The Marching Hornets have gained national recognition as a result of their presentation of a sparkling halftime show on NBC’s national televised professional football games between the NY Jets vs. KC Chiefs, December 10, 1967; CBS’s nationally televised professional football game between the New Orleans Saints vs. the Green Bay Packers in 1969 and was twice televised on the Blue-Gray Football Classic, Montgomery, AL, December 1976 and 1977; halftime for the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints October 1976 and 1977; and the pre-game and halftime for the Cincinnati Bengal vs. Houston Oilers at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, 1976.

In 1980, The Marching Hornets put together a halftime show saluting the late, great Joe Louis. In 1985, the Marching Hornets were invited to perform at the second annual Freedom Bowl classic in Fulton Stadium, Atlanta, GA, representing the SWAC Conference. They also performed for the Atlanta Falcon vs. Chicago Bears in 1986, where they presented a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and were the Exhibition Band for the South Central Marching Band Classic in Homewood, AL., November 1, 1986 The Marching Hornets also performed at other classics and games such as the Bronze Classic in Atlanta 1991, the Motor City Classic in Pontiac Michigan 1991, Alma Heritage Bowl in Miami 1991, the Circle City Classic of Indianapolis 1992, Battle of the Bands in Mobile, AL 2000, the Detroit Football Classic 2003 and 2004, and Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, Ga. in 2006. The band appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show in 2007.  The Marching Hornets Band motto is: “THE PRICE OF GLORY IS HIGH”

Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority  
Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority was founded in 1946 by Wava Banes Henry. The Delta Theta chapter was founded at Alabama State University on March 20, 1970 by eight members including current faculty member Ms. Alma Lyle. It was reinstalled on March 21, 2004 by the Eight Essential Elements of Elegance and are still serving today. The ladies are currently under the direction of Ms. Atoyia Mason- Sponsor and Director of Bands Dr. James B. Oliver- Advisor.
Ladies of Distinction Color Guard
The flag corps made its debut in 1975. They  were the first flag unit in the band.  Atoyia Mason is the current instructor. In the spring of 2011 Dr. James B. Oliver approved the current coordinator, Atoyia Masons,  request for a name for the Flag corp.  The name “LADIES OF DISTINCTION” was approve and greatly represents the young ladies accepted for our squad.

Stingettes
The Stingettes is the name of Alabama State University’s dance line. Their name is derived from the stinger of the Hornet mascot. They made their debut in 1977.  Ellisa Porter is the current instructor.
Honey Bees
The Honey Bees first performed at the Southern vs  Alabama State University game in Montgomery, Alabama in 2004 under the leadership of Dr. James Oliver.  They started as a five-member team, each adorned  a throw-back jersey.  The Honey Bees are known for ending each high spirited performance with  cartwheels and splits.

Currently directed by alumnus Carlton Wright, the Alabama A&M University Band program has been in existence since 1890. The progress of the program has been maintained by an outstanding team of notable musicians and teachers. Among these are: William Grant Still, Sr., father of the renowned American composer; William C. (W.C.) Handy, known as the “Father of the Blues”; Wade Hammonds, the first African American to be appointed as Chief Musician (Band Master in the United States Army); Thomas Dawson, retired band director; James Wilson, band director, Wilmington, Del.; Barney Smart, Sr., director of bands, Hampton University (Va.); and Arthur B. Wesley.
The Band Program includes the Alabama A&M University “Marching Maroon & White” Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble and the Brass Ensemble.  The “Marching Maroon & White” Band is a musical show unit that is organized during the fall football season. Membership is open to all qualified students enrolled at the University, regardless of their major field.
The “Marching Maroon & White” Band has revived an outstanding sense of pride in the University through the student body, faculty, community, alumni and general public. This outstanding musical aggregation on November 27, 1983, provided the half-time entertainment at Fulton County Stadium for the Atlanta Falcons and Greenbay Packers game, which was televised nationally by CBS.
On January 15, 1990, in Atlanta, Ga., the Alabama A&M University “Marching Maroon & White” Band was the lead organization for the Parade and “March of Celebration” that saluted the 61st Anniversary and Fifth National Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was the first time that the birthday anniversary of Dr. King and the National Holiday occurred on the same date, which made the 61st birthday celebration a very special day. The parade was televised live by the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), and was viewed by 1.8 million people.
Commendations for the “Marching Maroon & White” continued throughout the banner year of 1991. A poll conducted by Sports Illustrated magazine concluded that the “Marching Maroon & White” Band was one of the Top Ten marching bands in the United States among African American Colleges and Universities. The Band also participated in the Atlanta “Bronze Classic” Collegiate Band Competition and was declared the winner for “Best Drill Design.”
During 1996, the “Marching Maroon & White” Band was the opening act for the Olympic Soccer Games in Birmingham, Ala.
The Band was invited to represent the state of Alabama in the National Independence Day Parade sponsored by the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service on July 4, 1998, in Washington, D.C.  The “Marching Maroon & White” Band can be heard on the CD by Lucy Pearl (“Lucy Pearl Tells”), the remix of their big hit “Dance Tonight,” #15). The Band has also starred in a documentary film called “Take the Field” directed by Robert Dawson (2000).
In January 2006, the Band led the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – The State Farm Magic City Classic presented by Coca- Cola announced that the American hip-hop and R&B music group Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, has been named this year’s ambassadors for the October 25th game at Legion Field. And, for the first time ever, the ambassadors will also perform in the post-game concert.
Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe formed after branching off from the pop group New Edition, which reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. New Edition helped lead the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys and Boyz II Men.
Bell Biv DeVoe’s hit album, “Poison,” from the 1990s reached number one on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and sold over three million copies. They have been recognized at the Soul Train Music Awards for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album of the Year, Group, Band or Duo, and they are currently working on their fourth album.
“We are excited to name Bell Biv DeVoe not only as our ambassador, but also as a performing act in the post-game concert at Legion Field,” stated Nicole Hubbard of the State Farm Magic City Classic. “They will continue the legacy we have set of bringing in top-notch celebrities to represent the game and participate in game festivities. It will be exciting for Bell Biv DeVoe to not only serve as the ambassador, but also entertain the fans with some of their top hits.”
For access to the post-game concert with Bell Biv DeVoe, fans must purchase a game ticket into Legion Field. A $20 general admission or $25 reserved seat ticket will give fans access to the game between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, the much-anticipated halftime show by the Marching Maroon and White and the Mighty Marching Hornets, along with a night of fun as Bell Biv DeVoe takes the stage to entertain for the post-game concert.
Bell Biv DeVoe will be added to the long list of A-list celebrities who have previously served as ambassadors for the State Farm Magic City Classic including Ice Cube, Bootsy Collins, LisaRaye, Sinbad, Wendy Williams, Charles Barkley, Vivica A. Fox and more.
Follow the Magic City Classic on:
Twitter: @MagicCTClassic
Facebook: State Farm Magic City Classic
Instagram: @MagicCityClassic
Visit www.themagiccityclassic.com.

By Cheryl Eldridge

On a sunny Saturday in October, thousands of Black college students and alumni are gathered to witness the biggest rivalry of the year. Nobody dares to move out of their seat for fear of missing any of the competition. Tensions are high as two of HBCU’s finest square off in a battle to the finish.
It’s that time of year in Birmingham where “magic happens” and the city becomes  the “talk of the town.” The 73rd  State Farm Magic City Classic presented by Coca Cola  is here!
The number one most sold out rivalry action between Alabama State University and Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is at stake.
So what’s all the hype about?
Let me keep it simple: tailgating,fashion shows, new hair dos, pre-game shows, halftime showdown, gridiron action, fan anticipation,post concert with Bell, Biv Devoe  and which team walks away with bragging rights! Oh yeah, there’s a football game too.
Welcome to the world of Black college (HBCU) marching bands. Here you will see drum majors and musicians march and dance to the latest in R&B and hip-hop. Bands perform music that moves crowds to states of euphoria while forming multidimensional designs on the field. Dance girls and majorettes perform moves in ways accomplished dancers would envy. Simply put, HBCU marching bands are some of the most entertaining groups in the country.

This year’s game is Saturday, Oct. 25 at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, with kickoff time set for 2:30 p.m. Alabama State has won the past two football matchups against archrival Alabama A&M and will look to make it three in a row  this year.
This year Alabama A& M football lies on the shoulders of newcomer Head  Football Coach James Spady and Alabama State University’s new President Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd.
The State Farm Magic City Classic is currently ranked the largest Black college football classic in the country.
The State Farm Magic City Classic brings fans and celebrities from around the country to watch as Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University compete for a potential spot in the SWAC Championship. Fans can also enjoy the McDonald’s Magic City Classic Parade and the Coors Light Tailgate Party on Saturday morning. As always, the anticipated halftime will feature the Marching Hornets and the Marching Maroon and White Band. For additional information or to purchase your tickets visit www.themagiccityclassic.com.
Go Hornets! Go Bulldogs!
See you at the game!