GREENSBORO, N.C. — A&T is making history in the marching band world, winning ESPN’s inaugural Band of the Year. One student is proud to be a member of the marching band and appreciates all that it represents. 

Sydney Fayton has been playing the tuba for years. 

“I love the warm sound that it produces. Also, when I listen to music, the first thing I listen for is the bass player in the melody,” Fayton said. 

She is the assistant sousaphone section leader at A&T, and always knew she wanted to be in a marching band at a historically Black college or university. 

“I was that kid. I really wanted to be an HBCU. I would go to football games, and I would see them play, and I’d be like, ‘they like, they really like playing for you.’ And I always wanted to do that,” Fayton said. 

Members of the BGMM practicing their field show. (Spectrum News 1/Sydney McCoy)

The now junior has hopes of being in the FBI, but chose North Carolina A&T University due to its band program.

“I auditioned for their band program and like two days later I got an email saying I had got in the band, and I got a scholarship. So that was really exciting because that’s really all I wanted,” Fayton said.

The Blue and Gold Marching Machine practices up to two field routines a week. They practice on weekends, after classes, and even during class as the marching band counts as credit. 

“It’s a full time job. Especially on top of school,” Fayton said. 

But to be part of a well-oiled machine, Fayton says the practice time, training, and the staff leadership allows their unique routines to set them apart. 

“We’re around each other every day, so it’s like these people are my family, to be honest with you. It’s very hands-on. Like we work. And that’s what I really appreciate. And they really, staff really takes the time to make sure that we’re all straight and get to know us and make sure that we are using our resources for success,” Fayton said. 

This hard work has not gone unnoticed, with the band being highlighted at large events, performing in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the official Carolina Panthers band. They also played at the Representation Matters: Celebrating Black Culture game on Dec. 17 in Charlotte. 

“So knowing that there’s a little kid that’s going to be watching TV – to see Black people like him or her, you know, and that’s, that’s really, is really like heart-wrenching for me,” Fayton said. 

The band was founded by the university in 1918 as a 50-piece band. Now, around 200 members make up the machine that was named the first-ever Band of the Year by ESPN.

The competition was held in Atlanta for HBCUs on Dec. 16. with the Aggies taking home the inaugural win for Division 1. 

“I feel like, I feel like I made an impact along with my other, you know, champions. Like we all made it happen. Good. That was a record. Like we had a record. That was the first time ESPN hosted that event. The first ever trophy that they’ve given out and it came to us like that feels very satisfying,” Fayton said. 

The band will be taking another stage in January as one of 20 bands selected to play at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on Jan. 1. 

The drum line practices their field show at A&T University. (Spectrum News 1/Sydney McCoy)

“It makes me pretty emotional. Like I want my kid, I want my kids when I have them to be in marching band. And then I know that they’re seeing me do all of these things,” Fayton said. 

She says not only has the band given her a platform to help bring representation to the HBCU, she has been able to travel more than she ever has and even board her first plane ride. 

“I want my band program to live on. I want my band program to be even bigger than they are now, than we are right now and we’re being right now,” Fayton said.