ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU Band Rankings

In season’s second band rankings, N.C. A&T and Miles College are tops

Both top bands score well in multiple categories

DII_NCAT

It’s time for this season’s second ranking of the ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU bands, and we have new top schools in both Divisions I and II.

The new top bands are the North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine in Division I and the Miles College Purple Marching Machine in Division II. Miles ended last season as the top Division II band.

N.C. A&T, which was No. 2 in the preseason ranking, moved to No. 1 on the strength of top ratings for drill and design and auxiliaries (Golden Delights) and the No. 2 spot in musicality. Miles was top-ranked because it held a top-five position in musicality, drill/design and percussion.

The rankings, conducted by two six-person panels of current and retired band directors and HBCU choreographers, evaluate bands on musicality, drill and design, percussion, auxiliary corps and drum majors. Judges critique the bands’ routines, then provide that feedback to the programs.

Jackson State and Winston-Salem State were the top-ranked bands in the initial rankings, compiled based on last season’s final rankings and performances by HBCU bands through Sept. 1.

Michael Magruder, director of bands at Winston-Salem State, which opened the season at No. 1, said he takes the judges’ comments to heart:

“Yes, feedback is important. All directors are intimately aware of the limitations, concerns and problems that abide within their individual programs,” said Magruder. “However, having someone else give you encouragement, point out deficiencies or tell you how to solve a problem is important.”

The rankings divide bands from NCAA Division I and Division II schools, which include the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Independent schools such as Tennessee State and Hampton, in Division I, and Talladega College and Edward Waters College, in Division II, are also rated.

Top 10 HBCU Division I Bands

Overall Rank Drum Major Drill Design Musicality Percussion Auxiliary
1. +1 North Carolina A&T 6. 1. 2. 6. 1.
2. +4 Prairie View A&M 4. 7. 7. 2. 2.
3. +4 Bethune-Cookman 5. 5. 6. 4. 5.
4. -1 Tennessee State 2. 10. 3. 3. 13.
5. +4 Norfolk State 7. 9. 10. 1. 4.
6. -2 Southern 8. 2. 4. 12. 13.
7. Alabama State 1. 11. 9. 11. 3.
8. -7 Jackson State 3. 4. 5. 13. 10.
9. -4 Florida A&M 12. 6. 1. 5. 22.
10. North Carolina Central 11. 14. 8. 7. 11.

Drum Major

  1. Alabama State
  2. Tennessee State
  3. Jackson State
  4. Prairie View A&M
  5. Bethune-Cookman

Drill and Design

  1. North Carolina A&T
  2. Southern
  3. U of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
  4. Jackson State
  5. Bethune-Cookman

Musicality

  1. Florida A&M
  2. North Carolina A&T
  3. Tennessee State
  4. Southern
  5. Jackson State

Percussion

  1. Norfolk State
  2. Prairie View A&M
  3. Tennessee State
  4. Bethune-Cookman
  5. Florida A&M

Auxiliaries

  1. North Carolina A&T
  2. Prairie View A&M
  3. Alabama State
  4. Norfolk State
  5. Bethune-Cookman

North Carolina A&T

Prairie View A&M

Bethune-Cookman

Top 10 HBCU Division II Bands

Overall Rank Drum Major Drill Design Musicality Percussion Auxiliary
1. +1 Miles 11. 2. 2. 3. 10.
2. +6 Morehouse 1. 9. 7. 7. 5.
3. +2 Virginia State 3. 3. 5. 8. 16.
4. Albany State 9. 8. 3. 10. 3.
5. -4 Winston-Salem State 8. 15. 1. 6. 17.
6. Kentucky State 12. 1. 18. 2. 8.
7. Edward Waters 5. 4. 13. 4. 13.
8. +2 Tuskegee 4. 13. 11. 9. 7.
9. Langston 10. 11. 9. 14. 1.
10. -3 Fort Valley State 6. 7. 14. 5. 14.

Drum Major

  1. Morehouse
  2. Virginia Union
  3. Virginia State
  4. Tuskegee
  5. Edward Waters

Drill and Design

  1. Kentucky State
  2. Miles
  3. Virginia State
  4. Edward Waters
  5. Benedict

Musicality

  1. Winston-Salem State
  2. Miles
  3. Albany
  4. Benedict
  5. Virginia State

Percussion

  1. Shaw
  2. Kentucky State
  3. Miles
  4. Edward Waters
  5. Fort Valley State

Auxiliaries

  1. Langston
  2. Allen
  3. Albany State
  4. Central State
  5. Morehouse

Miles College

Morehouse College

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.

This Story Tagged: Southern University Human Jukebox Prairie View Panthers Fort Valley State Wildcats Miles Golden Bears Jackson State Tigers … View All ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU Band Rankings Florida A&M Rattlers Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats Alabama State Hornets Morehouse Tigers Tennessee State Tigers Virginia State Trojans North Carolina A&T Aggies Edward Waters College North Carolina Central Eagles Tuskegee Golden Tigers Langston University Winston-Salem State Rams Norfolk State Spartans