TSU one of Eight Bands to Take Part in Annual Competition January 26, 2013
The Aristocrat of Bands from Tennessee State University has been selected to perform at the 11th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands January 26, 2013 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. This will be the Band’s fifth appearance. (photo by Rick DelaHaya, TSU Media Relations)
NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – For a third year in a row, the Aristocrat of Bands from Tennessee State University has been selected to perform at the 11th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands.
The Aristocrat of Bands will be one of eight of the nation’s top Historically Black College and University marching bands taking part in the Invitational Showcase January 26, 2013 at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
“The Honda Battle of the Bands is a truly unique event that celebrates and affirms the great tradition of the HBCU marching band experience and the incredibly positive impact that these programs have on the lives of young people, their schools and surrounding communities,” said Marc Burt, assistant vice president, Office of Inclusion and Diversity, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “As we continue into our eleventh year, Honda is happy to support these music education programs and looks forward to another amazing Invitational Showcase.”
All eight bands have earned a $20,000 grant each from Honda for their school’s music education programs and an all-expenses-paid trip to Atlanta to perform at the showcase. These eight bands include a number of America’s most iconic marching bands, as well as one first-time participant, Alcorn State University.
Along with Tennessee State University, the seven other bands performing include:
- Albany State University, Marching Rams (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
- Alcorn State University, The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
- Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
- Edward Waters College, Triple Threat Marching Band (Independent)
- Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
- North Carolina A&T University, Blue and Gold Marching Machine (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
- Winston-Salem State University, The Red Sea of Sound (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
The final eight bands were chosen through a voting process incorporating online fan votes, band directors, the presidents of HBCU schools and representatives from American Honda. For the eight participating bands, the journey to the Invitational Showcase involves months of intense practice and training, all in preparation for their Georgia Dome performance, where each band will have 12 action-packed minutes to showcase the musical excellence, distinctive style and superior showmanship that earned them a place in the 2013 Invitational Showcase.
This will be the fifth appearance for the Aristocrat of Bands at the Honda Battle of the Bands, having performed in 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012 and now 2013. This Appearance follows on the heels of their upcoming performance at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, Ind., November 7-8.
Since its inception in 1946, and subsequently becoming a show band under the administration of second TSU President Dr. Walter S. Davis, the Aristocrat of Bands has been featured at many international and national events, including half-time shows at several NFL games, Bowl games and Classics, and Presidential Inauguration – the latest that of Bill Clinton in 1993.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
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About Tennessee State University
With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the county by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
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