This November, Birmingham-Southern College has forged a new tradition with neighboring schools and students in West Birmingham, all through two impressive halftime shows.

BSC invited marching bands from P.D. Jackson-Olin High School and A.H. Parker High School to perform at the last two home football games of the season. Jackson-Olin’s Mean Green Marching Machine performed Nov. 2, and Parker’s Thundering Herd marching band will perform during BSC’s last home game vs. Millsaps College at 1 p.m. Nov. 16.

The marching bands are two of the seven Birmingham City high schools bands that are sporting new uniforms this year, thanks to a recommendation made by Mayor Randall Woodfin to the Birmingham City Council last fall.

“The uniforms have made the students more excited to march,” says James White, Parker High School’s band director. “They provided a sense of renewal as we develop who we are as a band and design how we march.”

Parker’s Thundering Herd will play their “Pride of Africa” show, which incorporates dance, music, and color from African and African-American cultures. Since White became director in 2017, the band has more than tripled in size, and they have traveled across the South and Midwest for performances and clinics.

Throughout the game, the Thundering Herd will play alongside the BSC Pep Band, led by Dr. David Phy. Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa N. Herring will serve as an honorary captain at the Nov. 16 game.

“On behalf of the scholars of Parker High School, we recognize that the BSC community values the arts, and we are proud to showcase the musical talents of our scholars,” Herring says. “Birmingham City Schools is a Force for Greatness, and we are grateful for this invitation to join forces with an incredible institution of higher education.”

The College has a decades-long partnership with Birmingham City Schools through the Bush Hills STEAM Academy, and the BSC community looks forward to seeing the partnership grow. The band performances offer an opportunity for Birmingham high school students and their families to visit campus and become familiar with life on the Hilltop.

“The performances add greatly to the atmosphere of the games,” says Lane Estes, BSC chief of staff and vice president for community initiatives. “More of our students will be aware of neighboring schools and their talented students, and, hopefully, as we continue this tradition, we can look to expand the connection to the neighborhoods so they feel at home on our campus.”

The BSC football team has had an excellent season, now 5-2 against Southern Athletic Association teams and 6-3 overall. Home football games are held at Krulak Stadium. Tickets are $10 each for the public and free for BSC students, faculty, and staff. Each member of the Parker High School marching band will receive two complimentary tickets for family and friends.

“We’re excited to welcome the members of the marching bands and their families, and we’re grateful they’ve chosen to showcase their incredible talent here,” says BSC President Daniel B. Coleman.  “As a citizen of Birmingham, BSC is committed to bringing our neighbors from across the city to campus to experience Panther pride.”