Jackson State and Benedict College are top bands in November rankings
Bethune-Cookman, Miles College and Norfolk State also have strong showings
There are two new top bands in the ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU Band Rankings for November and they are the Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South in Division I and the Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction in Division II.
Benedict was No. 2 in October in Division II, and Jackson State was No. 4 in Division I. The Sonic Boom is No. 1 in November behind top ratings in the categories of drill and design (No. 1), musicality and drum major (No. 2) and percussion (No. 4). The Marching Tiger Band of Distinction of Benedict is in the top five with percussion (No. 1), musicality (No. 2) and auxiliary (No. 4).
Hampton University made its strongest showing with a top 5 overall finish and Bethune-Cookman finished in its highest position of the season at No. 2 in Division I. Jackson State beat out No. 2 Bethune-Cookman by 10 points, but only two points separated Bethune-Cookman from No. 3 Norfolk State.
Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands was No. 1 in the October ranking ahead of North Carolina A&T State University by a very slim margin. Benedict replaces the previous Division II leader Elizabeth City State University.
The rankings, conducted by two six-person panels of current and retired band directors, and choreographers from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), 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.
Top 10 HBCU Division I Bands 
| Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. +3 Jackson State | 2. | 1. | 2. | 4. | 9. |
| 2. +4 Bethune-Cookman | 1. | 3. | 3. | 12. | 13. |
| 3. +4 Norfolk State | 6. | 5. | 5. | 3. | 2. |
| 4. +1 Southern | 7. | 2. | 9. | 8. | 4. |
| 5. Hampton | 5. | 8. | 6. | 14. | 5. |
| 6. -4 North Carolina A&T | 17. | 7. | 4. | 1. | 6. |
| 7. +1 Florida A&M | 19. | 9. | 1. | 11. | 14. |
| 8. -5 Prairie View A&M | 11. | 17. | 10. | 5. | 1. |
| 9. -8 Tennessee State | 18. | 4. | 7. | 2. | 19. |
| 10. Alabama A&M | 3. | 15. | 13. | 6. | 10. |
Drum Major 
- Bethune-Cookman
- Jackson State
- Alabama A&M
- Alcorn State
- Hampton
Drill and Design
- Jackson State
- Southern
- Bethune-Cookman
- Tennessee State
- Norfolk State
Musicality 
- Florida A&M
- Jackson State
- Bethune-Cookman
- North Carolina A&T
- Norfolk State
Percussion 
- North Carolina A&T
- Tennessee State
- Norfolk State
- Jackson State
- Prairie View A&M
Auxiliaries 
- Prairie View A&M
- Norfolk State
- Grambling State
- Southern
- Hampton
Jackson State
Bethune-Cookman
North Carolina A&T
Top 10 HBCU Division II Bands 
| Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. +1 Benedict | 12. | 6. | 2. | 1. | 4. |
| 2. +3 Miles | 10. | 3. | 7. | 5. | 18. |
| 3. +3 Fort Valley State | 11. | 8. | 4. | 8. | 11. |
| 4. -3 Elizabeth City State | 8. | 13. | 9. | 6. | 9. |
| 5. -1 Kentucky State | 7. | 4. | 5. | 12. | 13. |
| 6. Morehouse | 6. | 9. | 11. | 10. | 1. |
| 7. Virginia State | 2. | 10. | 8. | 9. | 21. |
| 8. -5 Central State | 13. | 2. | 13. | 13. | 6. |
| 9. Lane | 16. | 11. | 10. | 7. | 14. |
| 10. -2 Winston-Salem State | 18. | 7. | 1. | 2. | 23. |
Drum Major 
- Clark Atlanta
- Virginia State
- Shaw
- Virginia Union
- Allen
Drill and Design 
- Edward Waters
- Central State
- Miles
- Kentucky State
- Talladega
Musicality 
- Winston-Salem State
- Benedict
- Fayetteville State
- Fort Valley State
- Kentucky State
Percussion
- Benedict
- Winston-Salem State
- Fayetteville State
- Edward Waters
- Miles
Auxiliaries 
- Morehouse
- Albany State
- Allen
- Benedict
- Clark Atlanta
Benedict
Clark Atlanta
Morehouse
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.