HBCU Marching Band Spotlight 5 | Savannah State University "Powerhouse of the South"

The earliest record of Savannah State University Band program can be dated back to 1949, under the direction of J.J. Ballou. During that time, the band was known as the Georgia State Industrial College Senior Band. In 1949, the Georgia State Industrial College Band went down in history as they appeared in the Army Day Parade, in Savannah, GA, as the only African American band to perform in the parade. Throughout the years, the band had evolved and progressed based on the leadership and direction of program administration. The SSU band has achieved several honors in the HBCU musical arena, including two consecutive invite to the Honda Battle of the Bands, in Atlanta, Georgia. The band is currently under direction of Mr. Marques Graham. He is known amongst the HBCU band community as a prolific arranger/composer. For more information, about the “Powerhouse of the South”, please visit their website at www.ssuband.com.