Alabama State’s Mighty Marching Hornets Band Appears in New Movie

Last Updated on June 25, 2016

The Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets band gathered for a scene they’ve enacted countless times. The band was decked out in the trademark black and old gold uniforms. The drum line kept rhythm. The color guard twirled flags. They all marched in perfect unison to the middle of the football field.

And then suddenly, someone yelled, “Cut!”

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

The Marching Hornets were shooting a scene for “Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk,” a film starring Vin Diesel, Joe Alwyn, Steve Martin and Chris Tucker. The film, based on the book by the same name, is about 19-year-old Billy Lynn, who is brought home for a victory tour after a harrowing Iraq battle. Through flashbacks the film shows what really happened to his squad – contrasting the realities of war with America's perceptions.

The Mighty Marching Hornets on the National Stage

Meghan Currier of Search Party Music Casting for Sony Pictures was looking for the right band for the halftime scene and got in touch with Mighty Marching Hornets Band Director James Oliver. He said he was thrilled to showcase the band on a national level.

“This exposure is giving ASU and the Marching Hornets the national recruiting opportunity to reach out to other states and countries,” Oliver said.

The band performs two Destiny’s Child songs in the film, “Soldier” and “Lose My Breath.”

“Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk” is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 11, 2016.

Source: Alabama State University