HONDA 2012 Best Lineup ever

[Capler]

Honda is not as exciting as it was a few year back. People became uninterested when they learned how political it is. They only select the bands the committee wants. I don't even watch the videos any more. 

[Jay_Thomas]

What makes you think people are uninterested?
Its a near sellout every year. Attendance hasn't declined.
You speaking for yourself or the masses, ole Great Grizzly one? 

[Capler]

Just going by talk on the band site. Of course the general public like those things but as far as colleges and band heads go, I don't know. Schools keep going because it is a pay check, kids for the trip. Colleges don't seem to make a big deal of it like they use to. When you have a VSU going year in and year out, it gets kind of uninteresting after a while. It's like, why vote if they are going to keep picking the same bands?

[Jay_Thomas]

I believe that the schools picked are in direct correlation to the schools voted for. Now whether or not folks who attend also voted, that's another story. Not everyone goes every year and others still are just coming for the first time since the event has been taking place. It is what it is and has proven to be successful so far.  For me it depends on if my favorite bands are in it and if the family and friends are coming in town for the event. Everybody has their reasons for going or not going.

[Capler]

I would attend if it were held in my town, it would be cheap entertainment. But to travel across the country for it, 

[Jay_Thomas]

Cap, I can understand that.

Have you been before?

If you haven't, come on down at least once.


 

[Capler]

I like bands and all but I get bored real fast if there are more than two in the room. 

[M.R.S.B. RAM]

Per Albany Herald
ALBANY -- Albany State University has been chosen as one of just eight college marching bands that will showcase their talent in front of a national audience at the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands invitational showcase next January.

#"We are extremely proud to be selected for the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands. The selection is indicative of the hard work of our students, faculty and staff," ASU Director of Bands Michael Decuir said. "It would not be possible without the strong support of our administration, particularly Dr. (Everette) Freeman. Finally, we stand on the shoulders of the other bands in our conference and ASU bands past."

#Chosen from among 41 top-shelf bands at historically black colleges and universities across the U.S., the Albany State Marching Rams Show Band will be one of eight elite participants in the 10th annual invitational showcase to be held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Jan. 28.

#In addition to an all-expenses-paid trip to the Battle of the Bands, ASU will earn a $20,000 grant from Honda for the university's music education programs.

#Also competing in the Battle of the Bands showcase:

#Bethune Cookman University "Marching Wildcats" (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)

#Jackson State University "Sonic Boom of the South" (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

#Prairie View A&M University "Marching Storm" (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

#South Carolina State University "Marching 101" (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)

#Tennessee State University "Aristocrat of Bands" (Independent)

#Virginia State University "Marching Trojan Explosion" (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)

#Winston-Salem State University "Red Sea of Sound" (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).

#For ASU, the journey to the showcase involved months of practice and training, all in preparation for the band's Georgia Dome performances, during which each band will have 12 minutes to showcase its musical excellence, distinctive style and superior showmanship that earned it an invitation.

#The Showcase bands are chosen via online voting, with votes by fans, students and alumni accounting for one-third of the selection criteria, and band directors and school presidents accounting for the balance of the selection process.

[TrueTrojan]

Trojan Explosion selected for record ninth straight Honda Battle of the BandsWednesday, November 02, 2011
 
The Virginia State University (VSU) Trojan Explosion Marching Band will perform at the 10th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, in the Atlanta Georgia Dome on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. The Trojan Explosion is the only band to participate in nine consecutive Battle of the Bands showcases.
 
In addition to an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, VSU will earn a $20,000 grant from Honda for its music education programs.
 
This year, eight, elite college marching bands were selected from a group of 41 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands from across the United States. The Showcase bands are chosen via online voting, with votes by fans, students and alumni accounting for one-third of the selection criteria, and band directors and school presidents accounting for the balance of the selection process.
 
The eight HBCU marching bands selected to perform include:
 
Virginia State University “Marching Trojan Explosion” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University “Sonic Boom of the South” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Prairie View A&M University “Marching Storm” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
South Carolina State University “Marching 101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands” (Independent)
Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Under the direction of Dr. Mark W. Phillips, the VSU Trojan Explosion is composed of approximately 180 members, including the Essence of Troy Dancers, Satin Divas Flag Corps and the Troy Elegance Majorette Squad, in addition to instrumentalists.
For many years, the Trojan Explosion has traveled across the United States and abroad, becoming a recruitment powerhouse for VSU and bringing home countless accolades. In February 2010, VSU made history by being the first drum line to perform at the White House. Selected percussionists performed for President Barack Obama during his signing of the HBCU Funding Bill. “This ninth straight appearance at the Battle of the Bands would not have been possible without the support of alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Virginia State University,” said Dr. Phillips.
 
The Honda Battle of the Bands is the only national scholarship program that highlights music education as an important facet of HBCU heritage and culture. The eight winning band programs chosen to participate in this year’s Invitational Showcasewill each be awarded $20,000 by American Honda for their music programs, in addition to the $1,000 grant they received for participation during pre-qualifying. Through this program, American Honda annually awards a total of $205,000 in scholarships to HBCU music programs. Since the program’s inception, an excess of $1 million in grant money has been bestowed to HBCUs.
 
This year’s event theme, “The Homecoming,” reflects on the 10th anniversary of the Honda Battle of the Bands and calls for all HBCU marching band alumni, current HBCU students and the many fans of the event to meet in Atlanta for this special anniversary showcase event. The homecoming theme also highlights the importance of marching band culture to black college homecoming celebrations.
 
“We are excited to be celebrating 10 years of the Honda Battle of the Bands as we continue to support the music education programs of our nation’s HBCUs” said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. “We hope that Black college marching band fans and alumni will attend this year’s Invitational Showcase as we anticipate a great community turnout and even greater performances by the top eight HBCU marching bands.”
 
VSU Trojan Explosion fans are encouraged to follow Honda Battle of the Bands on Twitter (@the_honda) and to become a fan of the Facebook page (Honda Battle of the Bands) where they can share memories, photos and engage in trivia, and get updates on the 2012 program. For more information about, and to purchase tickets for the Honda Battle of the Bands, please visit www.hondabattleofthebands.com.

[eagle pride]

Greatest lineup ever?   Ok.

[Jay_Thomas]

Well, I can actually say, with the exception of 1, I really like all the bands listed. 

[kast4life]

Honda details released.

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Eight of the nation's top Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands are preparing to bring a show to Atlanta that will defy expectations. An audience of fans and followers expected to exceed 60,000 will make a pilgrimage to the Georgia Dome to experience a musical extravaganza -- in the form of a black college "homecoming" -- as the 10th anniversary Honda Battle of the Bands kicks off at 3:00 p.m. on January 28, 2012.

To kick-off "The Homecoming," the bands will take the field promptly at 3:00 p.m. EST for the highly anticipated 10th annual Invitational Showcase. The final eight showcase bands will perform in the following order:

1. Jackson State University "The Sonic Boom of the South" (facing press box)

2. Virginia State University "Trojan Explosion Marching Band" (away from press box)

3. South Carolina State University Marching "101" (facing press box)

4. Albany State University "Marching Rams Show Band" (away from press box)

5. Winston-Salem State University "Red Sea of Sound" (away press box)

6. Tennessee State University "Aristocrat of Bands" (facing press box)

7. Prairie View A&M University "Marching Storm" (away press box)

8. Bethune Cookman University "Marching Wildcats" (facing press box)

New for the 10th anniversary Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) and honoring a singular facet of HBCU culture, the 2012 showcase will kick-off with a rhythmic, first-ever "drumline" showcase spotlighting the crowd-pleasing, heart-thumping drum sections of all eight marching bands.

The eight selected bands have begun intensive preparations for their Georgia Dome performances. Each band will have 12 minutes to display the musical excellence, distinctive style and superior showmanship that earned them a place in the 2012 Invitational Showcase. The Showcase bands were chosen via online voting, with votes by fans, students and alumni accounting for one-third of the selection criteria, and votes by band directors and school presidents accounting for the balance of the selection process.

The 10th anniversary HBOB themed "The Homecoming," is a culmination of ten years of tradition, and represents a legacy of fervent competition and commitment. "When you say 'homecoming' to someone who attended an HBCU, it's about a great deal more than just a football game," said Barbara Ponce, Manager of Diversity Advertising for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Homecoming means camaraderie, fellowship and a shared heritage, recalling where you came from and celebrating the role your school experience has played in making you who you are today. Capturing this homecoming spirit is our goal with this year's Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase."

In addition to reflecting on the 10th anniversary of HBOB as a call for all HBCU marching band alumni, current students and fans to attend this special anniversary showcase event, the homecoming theme also highlights the importance of the marching band culture and community to black college homecoming celebrations. Just as "The Yard" on HBCU campuses serves as the community gathering place for all homecoming activities, the Georgia Dome will be transformed into "The Honda Battle of the Bands Yard" to re-create the HBCU homecoming experience.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/adding-multimedia-show-details-revealed-for-the-10th-annual-honda-battle-of-the-bands-invitational-showcase-2011-11-21