The Central State Invincible Marching Marauders and the Central State choir performed with Kanye West August 25, 2019, at his Sunday Service in Dayton honoring victims of a mass shooting. Comedian Dave Chapelle also attended the event.
The band and choir rehearsed for three days prior to the Sunday concert. “The demanding rehearsal schedule gave our students a glance into the real-life preparation that multi-platinum recording artists go through to bring us great shows,” Key said. “Most of all they got to see how their music can heal and bring our community together."
Band and choir members backed West on his hit record, “Jesus Walks,” at the concert. “It was hard, but we had to get the job done,” drumline member Eric Smith said. “Only a few people can say they worked with Kanye.”
Nine people died in Dayton August 4, 2019, when a man opened fire on partygoers in a club in the city’s Oregon District.