Next year, eight HBCUs will go to war with each other on the field, in what will be one of the most epic college battles of 2016.
Thousands of fans will pack the Georgia Dome on January 30, to witness the 14th Annual Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. Talented young musicians from the HBCUs will be judged on their choreography, showmanship and musicianship in a bid to win the championship title.
Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats’s will make a record-setting 11th straight appearance while Lincoln University’s Orange Crush Roaring Lions will make their debut in the 2015 competition, which is being sponsored by Honda.
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| Participants at Honda’s Battle of the Bands 2015 |
“Honda Battle of the Bands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helps HBCU student musicians showcase their talent and discover their greatness, both on and off the field,” Steve Morikawa, Vice President, Corporate Community Relations, American Honda, told CollegeHipHop.com in a statement.
“Honda is proud to have a longstanding relationship with America’s HBCUs and is honored that many students consider this event a highlight of their collegiate experience,” Morikawa added.
When the competition started, there were 32 bands fighting for to land in the semi-finals. That number has been whittled down to eight contenders, who were selected through online votes, feedback from band directors at the HBCUs and Honda executives.
The good thing about the competition is that everyone is a winner.
Each of the eight semi-finalists will receive a $20,000 grant from Honda. The donation will be used to fund music programs at each one of the HBCUs.
Tickets to attend the event at the Georgia Dome on January 30 or $10. For more information check out HondaBattleoftheBands.com.
The following schools’ band made the cut:
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| Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick Perform at Honda’s Battle of the Bands |
Alabama A&M University, Marching Maroon & White (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Alcorn State University, Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southeastern Athletic Conference)
Lincoln University (PA), Orange Crush Roaring Lions (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Prairie View A&M University, Marching Storm (Southwest Athletic Conference)
South Carolina State University, Marching “101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)
