HBCU Marching Bands Perform
At Honda Battle of the Bands
Atlanta
Marching Bands from 10 historically Black colleges and universities entertained a sold-out crowd at the Fourth Annual Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta just more than a month ago.
The 10 “starring” bands performed a mix of chart-topping music, including “Unpredictable,” by Jamie Foxx, “Laffy Taffy,” by D4L, “Golddigger” by Kanye West and many others. Featured bands included Bethune-Cookman College, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University, North Carolina Central University, Langston University, Tuskegee University, Virginia State University, Clark Atlanta University, and Central State University.
The 2006 Honda Battle of the Bands marks the third straight year the event has sold out the 65,000-seat Georgia Dome. The event complemented the success of Honda’s first-ever HBCU recruitment fair, hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center.
“The success of this sold-out event is a testament to the tremendous community pride in historically Black colleges and universities, and specifically their marching bands,” says Barbara Ponce, manager of Emerging Markets National Advertising for American Honda Motor Co. “Honda is proud to bring this enriching experience to fans from throughout the country, to the African-American community and to all who value great camaraderie and great musicianship.”
The Honda Battle of the Bands is the largest and only national scholarship program of its kind. As sponsor, American Honda Motor Co. this year awarded $141,000 in grants to 41 HBCU band programs, including $10,000 each to the Invitational Showcase bands.
Honda’s commitment to HBCUs was established 17 years ago when it introduced the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a program designed to showcase the academic gifts and prowess of HBCU students.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
