No inauguration gig for NCCU band

DURHAM -- Marching band members at N.C. Central University had hoped to be chosen to perform at President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, but it looks as if the band will not get an invitation.

At a recent NCCU trustee meeting, members urged each other to pull whatever strings they could and badger as many lawmakers as possible in the hope of getting a coveted invitation.

The list of bands, performers and artists invited to perform has been released, and while about a dozen college marching bands were chosen, none are from North Carolina.

The state's sole band representative will be the Harding University High School Marching Band of Gold from Charlotte.

The inauguration is Jan. 20 in Washington.