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!
4. Blue & Gold Marching Machine – North Carolina A&T State University
NCAT’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine comes in fourth place this year. Some accolades for this band include being winners of the Honda Battle of The Bands, 2003 Defeat the Beat Champions, the official band of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise, and the lead band for the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The band performs at a variety of school and community functions and consists of approximately 200 members from very diverse majors and concentrations. This performance year, The Blue and Gold Marching Machine performed at the Detroit Lions season opener, the Gotham City Invitational at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, NC, the National Battle of the Bands in Houston, TX, and more.
