SALISBURY — Student in Overton Elementary School’s Mini Funk Factory Marching Band are gearing up for their first performance of the season.
The group practiced Wednesday afternoon with the assistance of Livingstone College’s Marching Blue Bear Band.
The entire collegiate marching band headed out to the school to help the students brush up on their marching skills and master their instruments.
Overton technology facilitator Anthony Johnson launched the Mini Funk Factory drumline last year as a way to share his love of music with his students.
The drumline has since evolved into a full-fledged marching bank with everything from saxophones to trumpets to flutes.
When the band started to grow, Johnson realized he needed some help and contacted Livingstone band director Sidney Sessoms to form a partnership.
The two bands will be working together throughout the year.
The Mini Funk Factor Marching Band will perform at the 2011 Battle of the Bands in Winston Salem on Sunday. The group is the only elementary school band that is scheduled to make an appearance.