Bethune-Cookman reigns again, while Fayetteville State surprises at No. 1
Marching Wildcats show why they are top Division I band

The Fayetteville (North Carolina) State Marching Bronco Xpress, on the strength of its performances in drill and design and musicality, came out atop the latest edition of the ESPN/The Undefeated Band Rankings.
Fayetteville State replaces the Miles College Purple Marching Machine, which had been the top Division II band for two straight rankings. The current version, the fourth installment for this season, covers Oct. 15 through the homecomings of Nov. 3. The Marching Bronco Xpress will put its pride on display this weekend when the football team plays Bowie State in the CIAA championship game in Salem, Virginia.
Bethune-Cookman remains in the top position in the Division I rankings by a wide margin. Tennessee State moves to No. 2, knocking North Carolina A&T to No. 3. The Marching Wildcats, based on their top ranking in the Division I auxiliary, drum major and drill and design categories, were the top band by a wide margin.
“We work hard on the smallest of details and set a standard of excellence for practice physically, musically and academically with energy and teamwork,” said Donovan Wells, director of bands at Bethune-Cookman. “We aggressively attack our weaknesses while standing on our strengths.
“We strive for a high level of consistency from one performance to the next. Not just having a great performance, but can you have a great performance every time? Lastly, I must motivate, agitate, lift you up or even tear you down to get the very best from everyone, including me, no exceptions.”
There are separate rankings for bands from NCAA Division I and Division II schools, which include the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and independent schools, such as Tennessee State and Edward Waters College.
Bethune-Cookman University
Tennessee State University
North Carolina A&T University
Top 10 HBCU Division I Bands 
Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Bethune-Cookman | 1. | 1. | 2. | 2. | 1. |
2. +5 Tennessee State | 5. | 5. | 1. | 5. | 3. |
3. -1 North Carolina A&T | 9. | 3. | 3. | 4. | 2. |
4. -1 Jackson State | 2. | 4. | 6. | 9. | 4. |
5. Morgan State | 7. | 7. | 10. | 1. | 10. |
6. Prairie View A&M | 13. | 9. | 4. | 8. | 13. |
7. -2 Southern | 3. | 2. | 12. | 10. | 15. |
8. -4 Norfolk State | 16. | 21. | 5. | 3. | 17. |
9. North Carolina Central | 20. | 19. | 8. | 7. | 14. |
10. South Carolina State | 15. | 13. | 15. | 11. | 7. |
Drum Major 
- Bethune-Cookman
- Jackson State
- Southern
- Howard
- Tennessee State
Drill and Design 
- Bethune-Cookman
- Southern
- North Carolina A&T
- Jackson State
- Tennessee State
Musicality 
- Tennessee State
- Bethune-Cookman
- North Carolina A&T
- Prairie View A&M
- Norfolk State
Percussion 
- Morgan State
- Bethune-Cookman
- Norfolk State
- North Carolina A&T
- Tennessee State
Auxiliaries 
- Bethune-Cookman
- North Carolina A&T
- Tennessee State
- Jackson State
- Savannah State
Fayetteville State University
Virginia State University
Elizabeth City State
Top 10 HBCU Division II Bands 
Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Fayetteville State | 7. | 1. | 1. | 2. | 4. |
2. Virginia State | 1. | 9. | 2. | 7. | 5. |
3. -2 Miles | 5. | 6. | 3. | 3. | 17. |
4. Edward Waters | 6. | 2. | 7. | 4. | 10. |
5. -1 Elizabeth City | 3. | 7. | 8. | 5. | 9. |
6. +4 Winston-Salem | 12. | 10. | 6. | 8. | 8. |
7. Tuskegee | 16. | 8. | 5. | 6. | 14. |
8. -2 Benedict | 9. | 22. | 4. | 1. | 22. |
9. -2 Morehouse | 2. | 14. | 11. | 11. | 1. |
10. -7 Talladega | 10. | 11. | 10. | 16. | 3. |
Drum Major 
- Virginia State
- Morehouse
- Elizabeth City State
- Fort Valley State
- Miles
Drill and Design 
- Fayetteville State
- Edward Waters
- Fort Valley State
- Kentucky State
- Langston
Musicality 
- Fayetteville State
- Virginia State
- Miles
- Benedict
- Tuskegee
Percussion 
- Benedict
- Fayetteville State
- Miles
- Edward Waters
- Elizabeth City State
Auxiliaries 
- Morehouse
- Clark Atlanta
- Talladega
- Fayatteville State
- Virginia State
Band judging criteria
Drum Major: Conducting, baton carriage, utilization of space, marching technique, accuracy and definition, style, and discipline.
Drill and Design: Intervals and spacing; creativity; marching style; precision in timing, definition of patterns, showmanship, instrument carriage and showmanship.
Musicality: Tone, intonation, balance, technique, consistency of style, interpretation and musical effect.
Percussion: Rudimental excellence, general appearance, showmanship, technique/stick control, drill execution, style consistency and discipline.
Auxiliaries: Dance/flag routine, baton/flag carriage, utilization of space, marching/strut technique, uniform, style and more.