If you’re an alumnus of Texas Southern University in Houston Southeast’s Third Ward of if you’ve ever been to a home football or basketball game, than you know the Ocean of Soul, the university’s award-winning marching band.

Or maybe you caught their performance last Christmas Day at the NFL half time show where the band performed alongside Grammy-winning artist and fellow Third Ward icon Beyoncé. Some 200 members of the band, including its award-winning drumline known as The Funk Train and Motion of the Ocean, the high-energy dance team that competed on season 5 of America’s Best Dance Crew, backed up Queen Bey for almost 13 minutes on songs from her smash country crossover album “Cowboy Carter.” If you missed it, you can watch it here on Netflix.

“The Ocean of Soul Marching Band is the largest spirit organization on campus,” says Band Director Brian Simmons. “We pride ourselves in giving outstanding performances, whatever the venue. We also encourage that same level of performance from our students in the classroom. Bandmembers apply the self-respect, work ethic, and other qualities that students developed in the Ocean of Soul to their academic endeavors, professional careers, and as productive global citizens. Success in our program will require the strength of character and the drive to excel on and off the field.”

This high-stepping, explosive marching band has also performed at Super Bowl XXXVIII, the 2013 NBA All-Star Game Pre-Game Concert, and the 2018 NCAA Final Four. Notable parade performances include the 2017 Houston Astros World Series Victory Parade, several appearances in the HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the 2014 NFL Hall of Fame Induction Parade. That last one was for TSU Alumnus Michael Strahan who donated $100,000 to bring the band to Canton, Ohio for his induction. Comedian Kevin Hart also donated $50,000 for that, earning him an honorary membership in the band.

Known as the 9^th Wonder of the World, the Ocean of Soul moto is, “It’s not the size of the wave that makes you drown, but the motion of the Ocean when it hits your town!”

by Marene Gustin

photo credit: Ocean of Soul