The Coahoma Community College Marching Maroon Typhoon (MMT) is preparing to perform at Mardi Gras 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mardi Gras is a magical time of year and has a rich, storied history that is deeply meaningful to New Orleans natives. As Christians traditionally fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, Fat Tuesday was considered the day to feast on rich, fatty foods before the fast began -- hence the name. The highlight of Mardi Gras celebrations is the high-energy and fun-filled parades.
Charles Ray Johnson Jr., a native of Hollandale, Mississippi, shared that he is looking forward to participating in the Mardi Gras festivities. He serves as a drum major in the band and is a sophomore Computer Information Systems major.
"As a drum major, we have been preparing ourselves physically and mentally for the Mardi Gras parade with extended practices,” said Johnson. “It has been challenging to push through practices because of the extensive hours we are putting in to prepare for such a long parade. However, we try to motivate the band as a whole to put their best foot forward during practices.” Johnson is no newcomer to performing at Mardi Gras, and he looks forward to the excitement of the parade.
“Although the parade is long, the atmosphere of the place is full of life, and that’s what allows me to push through. I also want the freshmen to experience this feeling and enjoy themselves,” Johnson said.
Kamayah Johnson, majorette team member and freshman Biology major said the Dancin' Jewels have been busy preparing for Mardi Gras. She ensures that the Jewels are parade-ready! "The team has been putting in countless hours of conditioning, working out, and marching every single to prepare for the Mardi Gras parades," said Johnson. “It has been challenging to keep up stamina due to the fact that the parades are extremely long; however, as long as we continue to condition, the Jewels will be ready to tackle these parades.”
"I look forward to seeing other bands and possibly battling them while putting the Coahoma Jewels on the map. I can’t wait to feel the energy from the crowd and feel the New Orleans experience,” said Johnson.
Eddie L. Buggs, director of bands, believes that experiences like this create memories that students will remember for a lifetime. He has been at the helm of MMT since 2021. He works feverishly to prepare Coahoma's students for the next level.
"The process we use to prepare for the Mardi Gras performance is the same for any performance,” said Buggs. “The primary focus is preparing the music, making sure that all selections sound tonically centered, the students are producing a full and powerful characteristic sound for their instrument, and the selection is entertaining to the performer and listener alike.”
Buggs shared that as they prepare for several lengthy parades, they plan to systematically build the endurance of the band through marching in parade formation and incorporating calisthenic exercises into the daily rehearsal routine.
“We're ensuring that the band will perform at peak physical condition while producing pleasing music and energetic dance routines for all,” said Buggs. It's important for the band to experience Mardi Gras because the performance will expose them to different cultures within the American fabric.
“For some of the students, performing in the Mardi Gras Parades will be one of the largest events that they will ever experience in their life,” said Buggs. This performance will provide great memories and a sense of accomplishment for the student-musicians.”
Buggs pushes to his students that the band is a primary public relations ambassador for Coahoma Community College. Thus, in all that they do, they must represent themselves as a student-musician, the instrumental music program, the institution, the city of Clarksdale, the Mississippi Delta, the state of Mississippi, and hopefully, the nation in the near future. The Marching Maroon Typhoon will perform at the Krewe of Nomtoc Parade on Saturday, February 10th, in Westbank, New Orleans at 10:45 A.M. and Mammoth Parade on Tuesday, February 13th, in Mobile, Alabama at 2:00 P.M.