Fans
Nationwide can Vote for their Favorite HBCU Marching Band
Honda
Battle of the Bands Web Site Launches
October 1, 2003
ATLANTA – Historically Black College
and University (HBCU) bands are performing each weekend during
the college football season as a part of the second annual
Honda Battle of the Bands Celebration Tour with aspirations
of receiving an invitation to the Invitational Showcase in
Atlanta, Jan. 24. Now fans everywhere can vote for their favorite
band by logging on to www.hondabattleofthebands.com. The site
launched Sept. 24 and received 165,425 hits the first day.
“Honda is excited to be able to assist in recognizing
the tradition and excellence of these dynamic bands,” said
Wendell Bugg, manager of American Honda Corporate Affairs and
Communications. “We are very excited to see who will
be in the 2004 Invitational Showcase.”
This program, sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.,
will award a total of $144,000 in grants to the participating
marching bands. Honda will host 10 bands that will showcase
their dynamic music programs at the Invitational Showcase in
front of more than 60,000 fans at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
The Honda Battle of the Bands program includes two components.
The Celebration Tour, which runs through Nov. 22, provides
an opportunity for 45 participating schools to receive a grant
for their halftime performances at selected football games
during the fall.
At the end of the Tour, the 10 bands that demonstrate the
most showmanship, musicianship and fan interaction will be
invited to the Invitational Showcase. Each of the 10 schools
selected will receive an additional $10,000 toward its scholarship
fund. The invitees will include the two top bands from each
of the four HBCU athletic conferences (CIAA, SWAC, MEAC, SIAC)
and two independent schools. The selection process for the
Showcase will be based solely on a three-tiered process.
Thirty-three will be from the commissioners of the four conferences
and school presidents, and
Thirty-three will be from the band directors.
Commissioners, presidents and band directors are not allowed
to vote for their own school(s). All on-line surveys must be
completed and submitted by Nov.1. On Nov. 17, American Honda
will announce the bands that will perform at the Invitational
Showcase.
For more information on the Honda Battle of the Bands or to
cast your vote for the Invitational Showcase visit www.hondabattleofthebands.com.
“Honda is excited to be able to assist in recognizing
the tradition and excellence of these dynamic bands,” said
Wendell Bugg, manager of American Honda Corporate Affairs and
Communications. “We are very excited to see who will
be in the 2004 Invitational Showcase.”