Under the sunny southern California sky, high school marching band students from across the nation participating in the 2008 Battle of the High School Marching Bands, presented by The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation. The five marching bands battled it out at the competition giving there all. However, in the end Inglewood High School was named No. 1 by a panel of celebrity guest judges

The 2008 Battle of the High School Marching Bands 5th Anniversary show featured the five high schools and they battled it out "Southern Show Style" on the field of the 27,000-seat soccer stadium at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills. The finalists were judged by a panel of collegiate marching band directors and alumni, including band directors from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), and will compete for $10,000 and prizes. The fifth annual event, produced by The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, raises money to support music and arts education in elementary, middle and high schools in the United States. Last year, the event raised more than $100,000.

In celebration of the 5th Anniversary, this year’s 1st place trophy was designed by renowned artist Ernie Barnes. The event was kicked-off with the soulful rendition of the National Anthem by the popular group ONE.

This year’s competitors, in addition to Inglewood High, included two other local high schools. Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles) and Dominguez High School (Compton) joined out of staters Clifton J. Ozen Magnet High School (Beaumont, Tx.) and Percy L. Julian High School (Chicago, Ill.) who came in 2nd place.

This years celebrity guest speakers included the award-winning and legendary artist and producer George Duke along with Sheila E., legendary percussionist/ music artist. It was a tough decision for judges as they rated the student’s enthusiastic performances. The talented panel of judges included Dr. O’Neill Sanford, Director of Bands, Norfolk State University (Norfolk,Virginia) Henry Wade Johnson, Director of Bands, Lincoln University (Lincoln, Nebraska), John R. Graham Jr., Director of Bands, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Arkansas), Ramon W. Key Jr., Director of Bands, Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio), Darryl M. Singleton, Assistant Director of Bands, Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas), Anita R. Scott, Central State University Marching Band & Dance Troupe Alumni (Wilberforce, Ohio) and Carvella Brown, Grambling University Marching Band & Dance Troupe Alumni (Grambling, Louisiana). The high school marching bands were also observed by members of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association’s Music Committee, who are on the lookout for marching bands to participate in future Rose Parades. The lively halftime show sponsored by Herbalife with music recording artists Chaz Shepherd, Rahsaan Patterson and Solange. The halftime show was introduced by Diahanna Brown, Herbalife Senior Director of Operations, U.S. Sales. away from the U.S. Capitol building —is on its way to the national band competition. They are a family with heart and soul that use hard work, discipline and compassion to overcome all obstacles. Political leaders and celebrities are featured  in the film to show the importance of a small marching band in the lives of the band members and in the community. "The Black Candle" an explosive, vibrant documentary that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African-American experience is also featured in the documentary. Narrated by world

Photo credit: Copyright Robert Mora/The Home Depot Center.

The event audience was also introduced to the documentary "Ballou" by The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation Manager Tamala Lewis. Michael Patrei’s 86-minute documentary follows the talented Ballou Senior High School Marching Band (2 time 2nd Place winners at The Battle of the High School Marching Bands) as they overcome a negative environment filled with guns, drugs and violence to uplift the community with music, dedication and personal sacrifice. This Washington, D.C. high school marching band—from an impoverished community just three miles renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., The Black Candle is an extraordinary, inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of African-American family, community, and culture. Filmed across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, The Black Candle is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith) are so important to African-Americans today.