NEW: 2 AL Marching bands to be featured in National Battle of the Bands
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The National Battle of the Bands is celebrating 10 years of uplifting Historically Black College + University (HBCU) marching band traditions. This year, the Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Pipers are set to take the national stage in August.
Keep reading for all the details on the National Battle of the Bands—how to watch and who’s competing, plus a bit more about the other Alabama band in the show.
The National Battle of the Bands
Since 2014, the National Battle of the Bands has convened in Houston, Texas to showcase the best of HBCU marching bands to kick off the marching season. The event draws in 50,000+ people each year to watch (and listen to!) some of the best performances of HBCUs today.
This year’s lineup includes eight illustrious bands:
- B-CU Marching Wildcats – Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, FL)
- Sonic Boom of the South – Jackson State University (Jackson, MS)
- Purple Marching Machine – Miles College (Fairfield, AL)
- PVAMU Marching Storm – Prarie View A&M University (Prarie View, TX)
- Human Jukebox – Southern University (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Aristocrat of Bands – Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN)
- Ocean of Soul – Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)
- Marching Crimson Pipers – Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL)
It’s more than just a marching band event, too. The three-day event also hosts a career fair, presents scholarship opportunities + conducts community outreach in the Houston area.
The showcase is set for August 23-25 at NRG Stadium in Houston Texas.
Find out more about the event + how to buy tickets.
About the Marching Crimson Pipers
The Marching Crimson Pipers is an energetic group of musicians led by Dr. J. William Nicholas. The group has a long legacy of excellence since its start in 1906. The group produces stars off-field, too. Lionel Richie, William King and Ronald LaPread of Commodores fame once marched in the group.
Now, the band travels across the country, performing for tens of thousands of people in Mardi Gras parades, Senior Bowl halftime shows and so much more.
Keep up with the Marching Crimson Pipers.
About the Purple Marching Machine (PMM)
The Purple Marching Machine, or PMM is a dynamic group of over 200 talented musicians and dancers. The group travels across the U.S., performing for 100,000 people annually. The group is under the direction of Professor Willie Snipes and is one of the largest student organizations on campus at Miles College.
Follow their Facebook to see their show theme this year.
Were you in college marching band? Have you attended the National Battle of the Bands? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn! And make sure to sign up for our newsletter too, we’ll bring you more like this right to your inbox.
