Douglass High School Band Invited To Perform In The Windy City

In 1923, the Douglass High School band became the original ‘Pride of the East Side,’ but now their music is expanding to the Windy City.  

“The Pride of the East Side, that name came from the Douglass High School marching band,” said Jason Morgan, Douglass High School band director.  

Morgan has been the band director at Douglass for nine years, and when he took the job, his initial goal had little to do with music.  

“I just wanted to be a light to those young kids,” said Morgan.  

That light is giving hope through the band program.  

“They don’t have to stay in the area or the situation that they are in, they can go to college in band, it’s not just sports that gives scholarships, there are band scholarships,” said Morgan.  

The band is now preparing for a huge national stage in a Chicago parade.  

“The Bud Billiken parade is one of the oldest African American parades in the United States. It’s the largest African American parade in the United States,” said Morgan.  

It’s the second largest parade in the country, second only to the Rose Bowl Parade.  

“We sent in a tape, and they invited us to be a part of the Bud Billiken Parade,” said Morgan.  

The band is one of the only out of state schools selected to make the trip.  

“We have a lot of shoes to fill, and we want to go back to Chicago and make a good impression for the state of Oklahoma,” said Morgan.  

The parade is August 14 and about 50 students will make the trip. They are raising funds through their alumni association. Currently they are about $2,000 short of their $7,000 goal.  

“That will get us to the mark that we need to get to, and these kids can enjoy this trip, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Morgan.  

Mr. Morgan believes this trip will expose the students to things they would never experience. If you would like to help their efforts, you can donate through cash app $dhstrojanband or call the school 405-587-4200