The Coahoma Community College Marching Maroon Typhoon (MMT) headed to perform at Mardi Gras 2024 in New Orleans this week.
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, said he was 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.” Johnson said. “I also want the freshmen to experience this feeling and enjoy themselves.”
Kamayah Johnson, majorette team member and freshman Biology major said the Dancin' Jewels have done their part to get ready for Mardi Gras.
"The team has been putting in countless hours of conditioning, working out, and marching every single day to prepare for the Mardi Gras parades," said Johnson. "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, said 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 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.
“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.”
