Photo courtesy 6103 Entertainment LLC/Drae Productions.
The Miles College Purple Marching Machine is the primary focus of Drae Jackson’s film, “We Ready.”
Marching bands are a big part of social and cultural life at historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, according to Birmingham native Drae Jackson, an Atlanta-based filmmaker.
“The bands create so much excitement,” Jackson said, citing football games as an example.
“I notice at halftime no one gets up out of their seats,” he said. “No one is going anywhere. They are going to stand and watch what the band is doing.”
Jackson has now produced and directed a documentary film that celebrates the style, talent and hard work of HBCU marching bands, while also giving a sense of the tremendous community spirit the bands help inspire.
“We Ready,” which focuses on the Miles College Purple Marching Machine, will have its Birmingham premiere at Boutwell Auditorium, Sunday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m.
Bands, speakers and celebrity guests will appear at 7 p.m.
Willie J. Snipes Jr., the Miles College band director, receives some screen credits on the film.
“He wrote the music with the band, and he directed the field show,” Jackson said.
The bands from Talladega College, Alabama State University and Albany (Ga.) State University also appear in “We Ready.”
Jackson’s film shows how hard bands work to create their elaborate shows.
“It takes a lot of preparation,” he said. “They practice until 9 or 10 p.m. The show is detailed. It’s precise. It’s down by the count.”
The marching bands at HBCUs are “like the Holy Grail” and uplift and inspire people through their performances, Jackson said.
The bands play school songs, gospel hymns, pop songs and oldies, all of which elicit their own strong, positive reactions from the people in the stands, according to Jackson.
“If they play a good gospel song, (fans) might cry,” he said. “If they play a nice song from the radio, people are jamming. If they play an oldie, people have great memories.”
“I think the music and fellowship brings good vibes and good times and good spirits,” he said.
“They are playing the music that is bringing the community together,” Jackson said.
Admission is free, but attendees need tickets, which are available at draejackson.com.
The filmmakers will accept donations, with a portion going to the United Negro College Fund.
For information, go to draejackson.com or call 253-2246 or 404-667-7611.