The State Fair Classic is the much-anticipated college football game between Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University that kicks off the longest-running state fair in America, the State Fair of Texas. Taking place in the Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park in Dallas, the annual showdown between these two teams is a tradition dating back to the 1980s. Although, the first Texas State Fair Classic was held in 1925, making the game a 99-year-old tradition.
Thousands of fans and alumni from both sides reunite at the event to support their respective universities. As exciting as the game is, what also draws the crowd of spectators to the stadium is the two powerhouse marching bands, the PVAMU Marching Storm and the GSU “World Famed” Tiger Marching Band. These music programs each share a rich history, several accolades, and a multitude of high-profile performances. The halftime battle of the bands between these two ensembles at the State Fair Classic is a must-see performance.
Each band put on yet another, explosive performance at this year’s Classic. Leading the Tiger Marching Band was Dr. Nikole Roebuck, the first female Director of Bands at Grambling State. Standing opposite, was Dr. Timmey Zachery, leading the Marching Storm in his 13th year as Director of Bands at PVAMU.
Both band programs have a long-standing history using Pyware to design their shows.
As a family-owned business based out of Texas, our team at Pyware could not be more proud to see these two university bands use our program for their thrilling performances at the State Fair of Texas.
“Our commitment to phenomenal performance is unwavering, and we utilize Pyware to innovate the creative process for our shows. This tool not only streamlines traditional drill writing but also integrates hybrid and freeform designs effectively. Its flexibility allows us to combine various styles in one cohesive performance,” explained Dr. Zachery.
Click the link below to watch the Marching Storm’s State Fair Classic performance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERLbBMi2fv8
Over the years, the music programs at both universities have continued to keep their Pyware license up to date, as new versions of the software are released. A few features our team focused on improving in our latest edition of the software, Version 11, include design team functionality, more efficient editing tools and on-the-go mobile applications, and features to both plan drill ahead of time, as well as pivot and revise.
“With the recent rollout of Version 11, we have new resources that benefit all band directors. The ability to strategize on the dot sheet and assign positions beforehand ensures that our rehearsals run smoothly and efficiently. The user-friendly interface significantly improves our workflow and enhances communication among students,” said Dr. Zachery.
We want to applaud both the football teams and marching bands of Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University for providing another year of tremendous entertainment and extending our beloved tradition of the State Fair Classic another year!
Leave a Reply