Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band made a special appearance with Grammy-winning artist Usher during the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show in Las Vegas.
The Boom showed television viewers and football fans in Allegiant Stadium why they are known as the “Summa Cum Laude of Bands,” making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It feels surreal. It’s not every day you are invited to participate in such a monumental moment,” Roderick Little, director of bands at JSU, said. “The reality of the situation did not hit us until we began rehearsals in Vegas. I cannot think of anything more exciting or rewarding than walking onto the field, hearing the roar of the Super Bowl crowd, and immersing ourselves in the spirit that Usher brought to his performance.’
Little says he was met with jaw-drops and wide-eyed faces when he informed the band students that they would participate in the halftime show.
“They deserve this adventure and have worked hard to be here. I am also proud that I could fulfill two of my strategic goals for our band program: provide life-changing experiences for our students and place our program on one of the most visible national stages in this country. It does not get any bigger than the Super Bowl.”
“I am extremely proud of our students’ performance tonight with Usher, and the precision and musicality they brought to one of America’s biggest celebrations of sport was unparalleled,” JSU President Marcus L. Thompson said.