It’s giving “One Band, One Sound!” Congrats are in order for North Carolina A&T‘s Marching Team. The Blue & Gold Marching Machine have won the 2023 ESPN Division I HBCU Band of the Year Award.
BGMM competed against Jackson State University last Friday, December 16th at the Mercedes-Benz Dome in Atlanta.
“These events are great opportunities to not only showcase the excellence of our students to national audiences, but also to expand our students’ horizons,” said Kenneth Ruff, Ed.D., A&T director of bands.
2023 ESPN BAND OF THE YEAR DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONS. #NCAT #AggiePride #nationalchampionship #ESPN #HBCU pic.twitter.com/UtbymYsVF2
— BGMM (@B_GMM) December 17, 2023
The BGMM, which has been established since 1918, consists of about 200 students from diverse majors and concentrations, making it the largest student organization on the A&T campus. The marching machine performs different genres of music, incorporating all styles of marching and maneuvering, at a variety of school and community functions throughout the year.
The DI Band of the Year Award sets the stage for BGMM’s performance at the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California.
Since 1890, the Tournament of Roses has produced America’s New Year Celebration, bringing the traditions of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game to Pasadena and the world for nearly 130 years. Expecting to be viewed by 46 million people worldwide, this year’s theme is “Celebrating a World of Music.”
“BGMM is among the 20 exceptional bands selected to participate in the parade based on its “musicianship, showmanship and amazing talent,” says Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian.
Click below to watch BGMM’s full winning performance.
