Coahoma Community College Band
The History
By James McLeod
Edited by Rita S. Hanfor
includes an excerpt from: A Pictorial History of the Tiger Band
 During the 1947-48 session of Agricultural High School, the president, B.F. McLaurin, conceived the idea of improving the school and community by starting a band as an extra-curricular activity. Mr. McLaurin heard of a young woman named Consuella Carter, who taught all the members of the famous Sweet Heart of Rhythm Band at Piney Woods. She was a fantastic trumpet player and had a vast knowledge of bandmanship. So, it became Miss Consuella Carter’s task to organize a band at Aggie High School without instruments, uniforms, and pupils who had no basic knowledge of music. These adverse circumstances did not deter her determination to create of the most admired band in the South. There were times when all her “late night” and “early morning” efforts seemed to have been in vain, but she never lost sight of the goal for which she struggled. Finally, after many long hours, and restless nights, her dream became a reality. Within a two month period she presented the “Aggie High School Band” in its first performance at the Centennial M.B. Church in Clarksdale, Ms. The members, in their Black and White make-shift uniforms, discovered for the first time that they could play, as a unit, before a live audience.
 Coming to Coahoma County Agricultural High School was a challenge for Ms Carter. From Lexington she brought with her a few of her own instruments. A big help to her was Mr. Simon Kooyman. A band director at Clarksdale High School, Kooyman became interested in the Aggie Band. He helped Miss Carter in her direction and wrote arrangements for her band. Together they conducted band clinics that were attended by schools in the surrounding counties. “Mr. Kooyman helped our school an awful lot,” recalls Ms Carter. “I first saw him directing his band at Jackson Concert. He was the best and I wanted to study under him. He gave us instructions and let us use many of his arrangements. We were very glad to have him for a friend.” Ms Carter, upon her arrival, immediately became a vital part in the formation of Coahoma Junior College. Mr. McLaurin had Aggie band traveling over the state appearing in parades and concerts.
As she did at Piney Woods, a band member would tell the audience the need for such a junior college. Mr. McLaurin and L.L Bryson who was the Superintendent of County Schools, pushed for CJC. They saw the need for educating blacks beyond the twelfth grade. Also, since most of the teachers in the county had only a high school diploma, CJC would be used to upgrade teachers. Its was an idea who’s time had finally come. By 1949, CJC was ready to open its doors to freshman students. Ms. Carter was the first woman band director of the South. This fact was another asset to the band because people came from far and near to watch a “Lady Band Director” in action. The band received numerous invitations for parades and concerts. During these appearances, the band spread the word about Coahoma Junior College and Aggie High School and all its opportunities for the “poor man.” Mr. McLaurin asked a member of the band to deliver a short talk concerning the curriculum at Coahoma Junior College at each concert.
 As a result of this publicity through the band, the College Department grew from a meager beginning (22), to an enrollment that literally burst the seams of the available physical plant. Of the numerous trips made by the band each year, there were three trips that the band looked toward to with high anticipation. Those trips included the Christmas Parade, and most enjoyable trip “Home to Piney Woods School.” The band continued to be one of the best in the state in spite of graduating most of its member each year. Since its inception, the band has served as a nucleus for the whole school. Those pupils who were fortunate enough to become a member of the Coahoma Junior College Band received instruction, not only in music, but in moral and spiritual values as well. These lessons were invaluable to the members as they charted their life’s careers whether they chose music as a career or some other educational endeavor. As the band members graduated and took their places in society, they remember the Band Director in many different capacities. To some she meant a teacher, friend, mother, sister and counselor. Through her counseling and friendship, Ms. Carter, gave members confidence in themselves and made even the poorest of the poor feel as if he or she were somebody. She served as Director of Bands until her retirement in 1977.
 Michael Jossell, who completed his student teaching apprenticeship under the tutelage of Ms. Carter became director upon her retirement. He inherited a strong band that was familiar with his methods of teaching which were comparable to Ms. Carter. Rev. Jossell served as band director until 1991. Under his leadership the band grew tremendously, which brought about the redesign and purchase of new uniforms. He also changed the marching style to a high knee lift and swaying motion to emphasize the new capes. He also changed the stride to put emphasis on the white stripe of the pants and the white shoes. Membership saw an all-time high of 180.
 Jossell had a staff to assist him with his duties as the band grew in size. Mr. Isaiah Giles served as assistant director, Ms. Rita Hanfor, (a graduate of Coahoma, and one of Ms. Carter’s students) was the auxiliary sponsor, & Mr. Rashad Amin was over percussion. It was during this time the band participated in its first of many Mardi Gras parade performances. Jossell organized the first Stage band to perform throughout the Mississippi Delta and Washington D.C. The band performed for numerous Mississippi Governor’s Inaugural parades, and even performed for former President Jimmy Carter at the World’s Fair in New Orleans. Other major performances include the Cotton Carnival Parade in Memphis, TN, the Annie Malone May Day Parade in St. Louis, MO and various events in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
 
 Mr. Ray Charles Brooks served as the Director of Bands from 1991 to 1993. He made sure that the band had a high level of pride and musicianship. The band was very well disciplined. The band consisted of 140 to 150 members. The band went on trips. One of the trips was to New Orleans to the Mardi Gras parade, they also did parades around the surrounding area. During his years he did a lot of recruiting from MVSU. Also during that time he tried to get the school to expand the band room so he could have room for the expected growth in membership. Brooks was assisted by Mr. Pelt, and auxiliary sponsor Ms Rita Hanfor.
 Alc Breland served as Director from 1992 to 1995. Breland was instrumental in taking the band to the Inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Atlanta, Georgia. He was also responsible for starting a successful beginner band program for high school students that served as the feeder for Coahoma’s band.
 Fall 1995 saw the return of Michael Jossell. He returned in an effort to keep the band from disbanding without a director. During this time he was able to purchase new horns and a set of marching percussion through a leasing program. He also gave Coahoma Bands a much needed new look with the design and purchase of collegiate styled band uniforms in 1998. A drop in funding reduced the band considerably. Scholarships had fallen tremendously low. But he pressed onward with the small number he had, still representing the school in a positive way.
Rickey Brown served as band director from 2000-2003. Mr. Brown was the band director at a local middle school in Clarksdale. He had the privilege of teaching his own students who were incoming freshman his first year. Mr. Brown attempted to change the marching style of the band to Pioneer Band style, but the tradition of High Stepping remained. Mr. Brown was able to increase the scholarship budget, but the size of the band only grew slightly.
 2003 brought a new band director in the person of William Crump, Jr. During Mr. Crump’s stay the band suffered a loss of membership once again due to budget constraints. The scholarship funds had reached their lowest and band morale had fallen. To try to remedy this problem, he traveled to Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) , and spoke with their Director Leonard E. Tramiel. He informed Crump that there were members there that needed to attend Coahoma because their ACT scores were too low to attend a university. This gained the band a few good members. These members held the band together, designed field shows and arranged some of the music for marching band. In the spring of 2004, Mr. Crump became very ill and was allowed to resign for health reasons. The assistant at the time, Amick Youngblood, a former student of Mr. Brooks, took the helm and held the band together until the end of the school year.
 James “Boss” McLeod took over as Director of Bands in the fall of 2004. He is a former student of Mr. Brooks (while at MVSU). Under his leadership the band has grown, the scholarship funds have increased, band pride and the level of musicianship is increasing. The band has re-established itself as a musical force in the community. He has also incorporated horn visuals, plume action, and original cadences to add to the excitement of performance. McLeod made permanent the fight song “Eye of the Tiger.” His arrangement got the students excited about playing it.  His staff consists of Amick Youngblood-Assist. Director (band alumni), Stephanye Thomas-Aux Sponsor, and Delnessa McLeod-Admin Assistant (volunteer). The marching band has performed successfully in many places since his arrival. For the first time in many years, they participated in the Rust College Founders Day Activities. This was a tradition started by Mr. Jossell, but was discontinued after Mr. Brooks left. The Christmas Season of ’04 was a very busy time. The Marching Tigers participated in nine parades, in Mississippi: Clarksdale, Cleveland, Coahoma, Como, Friars Point, Jonestown, and Mound Bayou. They also participated in Marianna and West Helena, Arkansas parades. In Spring ’05, the band returned to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras parade for the first time since Mr. Brooks was director in the mid-90s. They also participated in the annual Hattiesburg, MS Black Heritage parade and field competition. The Coahoma Jazz Ensemble was brought back to life during his first year, and the concert band performed for Founder’s Day, a first in many years playing several concert pieces and the Alma Mater.
 The 2005-2006 school year saw the devastation of hurricane Katrina, which shifted the football schedule. This made practicing somewhat complicated, but the band was still able to perform for half-time with the same high stepping, crowd pleasing thump and sway they have become known for. The Concert Band was selected to play for the return of 81st Regional Readiness Command of the Army National Guard. They received many accolades for their performance in the absence of a military ensemble. Mr. McLeod was presented with the Army Reserve Ambassador’s Medal of Achievement for the band’s performance.
 The Christmas season of 05 was just as hectic as the previous year. The band participated in seven parades: Clarksdale, Jonestown, Marks, Como, West Helena, AR and Marianna, AR.
The Sponsors of the Endimiyon Krewe Mardi Gras parades were determined to continue the tradition of the parades of the season. Because of Coahoma’s performance the previous year they were invited back to be the lead band in front of the parade marshal. Completing his second year as director, “Boss” has increased scholarships, improved musicianship, and increased pride on the campus with the band’s ‘return to the greatness of the glory days.’
The spring semester began with the concert band preparing for Founder’s Day, The Jazz Band preparing for the Choir Extravaganza, a fundraiser for the CCC Choir to travel to Houston, TX. The marching band also participated in the West Helena MLK parade, the Hattiesburg Black Heritage Parade and numerous floor shows and majorette jamborees.
 Fall 2006 has seen the largest band in over 5 years! The band has grown considerably, and with growth comes greater needs. Summer Band Camp started with only a few members present. On the second and third day, the roster was filled with names. Camp was quite successful in preparing the band for performance, through calisthenics, music and marching. Uniform wise, Mr. McLeod has had to figure out ways to outfit the entire band since there is a definite uniform shortage. The very first performance was a parade in Leland, MS in which band wind suits had to be used for the percussion and flag sections.
The Band performed spectacular field shows this season, with more complicated drill movements. McLeod felt it was time to move the band in a more collegiate direction on the field. The band traveled to several away games this year, meeting up with the Mid-Delta Community College, and Northwest Community College Bands.
The newest addition to the Coahoma Band Program is the establishment of chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, honorary band societies.
The Lambda Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi & Iota Eta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma operate as student service and leadership recognition societies whose chief aim is to assist the Director of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that is required of the band. Their goals are to provide the band not only with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization, leadership and social contacts. The honorary nature of membership is based on the premise that “it is an honor to be selected to serve” this band, its department of music, its sponsoring institution, and the cause of band music in the nation's colleges and universities.
The Coahoma Band Program is well on its way to another successful year. The enthusiasm, dedication and most importantly Coahoma Spirit that the band embodies have created for it a special place in the area of bands, and the hearts of Coahomans nationwide.
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