UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND TEXAS SOUTHERN MARCH WITH YAMAHA PERCUSSION DURING SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW

BUENA PARK, CA (February 6, 2004)—When Super Bowl XXXVIII (www.superbowl.com) took place Sunday, February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, students from the University of Houston "Spirit of Houston" Marching Band and the Texas Southern University "Ocean of Soul" Marching Band took to the field as part of the AOL Top Speed Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show, using Yamaha marching percussion instruments courtesy of Yamaha Corporation of America.

University of Houston and Texas Southern University students took to the field with Yamaha as part of the AOL Top Speed Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show.

In what was the highest-profile event in which these bands have ever appeared, the percussion sections were depicted prominently on television as they played alongside the show’s other headline entertainers. The bands were hand-picked by MTV (www.mtv.com). Music scouts were sent to Texas and felt that both bands would make ideal performers in the halftime show. "This performance will open doors for instrumental music education and lay the foundation for strong programs to continue in the future," states David Bertman, Director, University of Houston Marching Band. "We are especially grateful to Yamaha, who represents music education at the highest level - they really came through very quickly and made this all possible. We're honored to have been chosen to play - the kids are thrilled!" The Texas Southern University Marching Band is under the direction on Mr. Richard Lee.

The combined drumlines totaled (20) Yamaha SFZ™ Series 14" Snare Drums, (12) sets of the 8200 Series Quints, and (18) 8200 Series Bass Drums, all in Yamaha's own Silky Silver finish. Each drumline was also outfitted with brand new Tubular Marching Carriers by May.

Yamaha has a long history of involvement with such high-profile events including the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the 1988 Super Bowl halftime show in San Diego, the 1999 Papal visit to the United States and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. "The Super Bowl is one of, if not the, most-watched television event in the world. We are extremely gratified to play our part in helping these students perform at the highest level," states Troy Wollwage, Manager, Percussion, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com.