Like so many others, the marching band at N.C. Central University is hoping to snag a spot in the January inaugural parade, part of the festivities surrounding president-elect Barack Obama's coming inauguration.

The Marching Sound Machine has filled out the applications required to be considered.

At a meeting this week of the university's board of trustees, one member urged his colleagues to pull any strings they can get their hands on.

"Whatever contact you've got, whatever congressman you know," said Eric Michaux, "Call them up and tell them there will be a deficit if that band is not there."

If selected, the NCCU band will have a busy January. It was recently selected, once again, to perform in the Honda Battle of the Bands, a prestigious annual showcase for marching bands from historically black colleges and universities.