Opinion Polls Now Open To Determine Top HBCU Marching Bands

TORRANCE, Calif.

The music of yesterday and today, performed in scintillating fashion by the musicians of tomorrow. That's what America's Historically Black Colleges and University Marching Bands (HBCUs) promise to deliver as they bring their musicianship and high-stepping dance moves to the 2006 Honda Battle of the Bands.

The Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) offers a stage to showcase the dynamic music programs of 41 of America's premiere Black institutions, as they "battle" throughout the HBOB Celebration Tour for a coveted spot at the program finale, called the Invitational Showcase. As sponsor, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will once again award a total of $141,000 in grants to participating marching bands.

"The Honda Battle of the Bands provides the premiere stage to showcase just one of the many enduring contributions that historically Black colleges and universities have made to our country," said Barbara Ponce, manager of Emerging Markets National Advertising for American Honda. "Honda is proud to shine a national spotlight on the musical talent, energy and heritage of these magnificent Historically Black College and University bands."

The Honda Battle of the Bands is comprised of dual components: the Celebration Tour and the Invitational Showcase. As part of the Celebration Tour, which runs August through November, fans have the opportunity to get interactive by logging on to the Honda Battle of the Bands Web site to participate in the online opinion survey, nominating their favorite HBCU marching band. In addition, during the Celebration Tour, Honda awards $1,000 grants to participating marching bands for their halftime performances. Opinion polls officially opened on Saturday, August 27.

At the conclusion of the Celebration Tour, the 10 bands that demonstrate the best showmanship, musicianship and fan interaction will be invited to "represent" at the 2006 Invitational Showcase in January, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The 10 schools selected will each receive an additional $10,000 toward their respective scholarship funds. The invitees will include the two top bands from each of the four HBCU athletic conferences (CIAA, SWAC, MEAC, SIAC) and two independent universities.