Fields, Institute to march in Los Angeles

The Louisiana Leadership Institute Band will head to Los Angeles to compete in the Home Depot/VH1 Battle of the High School Marching Bands Competition on Nov. 19.
One of eight nationwide finalists, the band has a chance to receive $10,000 for uniforms or instruments, Yamaha gift certificates and brand new band shoes for each member, which can be costly.
Also, a first-place trophy designed by artist Ernie Barnes (who painted the “Sugar Shack,” print featured on the hit TV show “Good Times”) will be presented to the overall winner.
Other bands include Alain Locke High School Marching Band (Los Angeles), Carroll Senior High School Marching Band (Monroe), Crenshaw High School Marching Band (Los Angeles), Eastern High School Marching Band (Washington), Frank W. Ballou High School Marching Band (Washington), Inglewood High School Marching Band (Inglewood, Calif.) and Redan High School (Stone Mountain, Ga.).
The 150-member band, directed by Southern University Assistant Band Director Carnell Knighten, will also march in a parade at Disneyland on Nov. 20 and enjoy performances by recording artists Chingy, Chris Brown and O.N.E. Proceeds from the contest will go to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation and the Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation.
“I’m tremendously proud of the kids being accepted to perform in this outstanding event. And it makes it more special since there are 15 students from New Orleans in this year’s band,” said Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, in a press release.
There are 150 high school-aged members in the Leadership’s band from high schools in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area.
“The kids have decided to make this trip a tribute to the displaced students,” Fields said.
The band members going to Los Angeles not only have to be musically inclined, but academically inclined as well.
In order to be selected for the trip, members must have a 2.5 grade point average.
“I’m sure their grades will be through the roof,” Fields said in the release.
Fields established the institute in 1998 to support the students of metropolitan Baton Rouge.
It currently serves approximately 1,200 youths, including many from the greater New Orleans area, said the press release.