Most colleges have a marching band, but there is nothing like an HBCU band. The unity and showmanship, the captivating choreography, and the excitement from the crowd all come together to encompass the feeling of Black joy and HBCU pride.
The marching band is a significant part of the HBCU experience, dating back to 1946 when Dr. William P. Foster began incorporating dance steps into Florida A&M’s The Marching “100” band routines. As BestColleges reports, “He and the Marching “100” pioneered a new style that entertained audiences with high-stepping, horn-swinging showmanship infused with Black culture and Black excellence.” Today, almost all HBCUs have a marching band that embraces this innovative style and performance tradition.
Marching bands play a key role at HBCUs and in Black music and performance history. They bring in the crowd at football games for their electrifying halftime performances and are usually the main attraction for the homecoming parade. Many bands have also entertained audiences at events at the local, national, and international levels.
A competitive spirit is a big part of HBCU band culture so we have to ask, which HBCU band is the best?
You voted, we listened. Here are the results for this year’s Top HBCU Bands!
3. Human Jukebox – Southern University and A&M College
Coming in third place is the Southern University Human Jukebox. The self-proclaimed “Often Imitated But Never Duplicated,” band prides itself on the unique ability to “execute precision drills better than any other marching ensemble in the country.” The Human Jukebox has performed internationally, at Super Bowls, Presidential Inaugurations, Rose Bowl Parades, and Radio City Music Hall, and has collaborated with famous artists and community activists. This past year the band performed at the historical LSU-SU halftime show and landed an exclusive deal with the premium athletic brand, Starter, to launch its brand new HBCU series for 2023.
