Norfolk State and Benedict College are new top bands in ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU Rankings
Bethune-Cookman and Miles College are now No. 2 in their divisions
There are new leaders in both divisions of the ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU Band Rankings coming out of November, the final full month of halftimes at classic games, band battles and football playoffs.
The Norfolk State Spartan “Legion” Band took over the top spot from the Marching Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman, which had led the previous two Division I rankings. Norfolk State marched to No. 1 with top rankings in drum major and second place in percussion.
The Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction displaced Fayetteville State as the No. 1 Division II band, on the strength of being tops in percussion and No. 2 in musicality.
The sixth and final ranking of the season comes out the week of Dec. 15, after judging of all the shows and competitions is completed by the panel of nine judges.
Although Fayetteville State fell to No. 5 in the Division II ranking, Jorim Reid, director of bands for the Broncos, appreciates the feedback judges give bands after viewing their performances.
“Getting feedback to improve HBCU band programs from judges like Dr. Julian E. White and Harold Haughton is valuable and refreshing. Both accomplished musicians are highly respected in academia and the band community,” said Reid. “They have been my personal mentors and role models for the development of my academic career and musicianship since high school.”
Norfolk State University
Bethune-Cookman University
Grambling State University
Southern University
Top 10 HBCU Division I Bands 
| Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. +7 Norfolk State | 1. | 5. | 5. | 2. | 3. |
| 2. -1 Bethune-Cookman | 4. | 3. | 3. | 6. | 6. |
| 3. +1 Jackson State | 8. | 1. | 2. | 7. | 14. |
| 4. +3 Southern | 6. | 2. | 9. | 10. | 2. |
| 5. -3 Tennessee State | 2. | 4. | 7. | 5. | 15. |
| 6. Florida A&M | 5. | 9. | 1. | 3. | 9. |
| 7. -4 North Carolina A&T | 11. | 7. | 4. | 1. | 1. |
| 8. -2 Prairie View A&M | 9. | 17. | 10. | 13. | 5. |
| 9. Alabama A&M | 7. | 15. | 13. | 11. | 4. |
| 10. Hampton | 19. | 8. | 6. | 8. | 10. |
Drum Major
- Norfolk State
- Tennessee State
- Alabama State
- Bethune-Cookman
- Florida A&M
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
- Norfolk State
- Florida A&M
- Morgan State
- Tennessee State
Auxiliaries
- North Carolina A&T
- Southern
- Norfolk State
- Alabama A&M
- Prairie View A&M
Benedict College
Miles College
Edward Waters College
Fayetteville State University
Top 10 HBCU Division II Bands 
| Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. +7 Benedict | 11. | 6. | 2. | 1. | 12. |
| 2. +1 Miles | 1. | 3. | 7. | 7. | 4. |
| 3. +3 Winston-Salem State | 10. | 7. | 1. | 2. | 19. |
| 4. Edward Waters | 3. | 1. | 6. | 4. | 13. |
| 5. -4 Fayetteville State | 14. | 13. | 3. | 3. | 6. |
| 6. -4 Virginia State | 5. | 10. | 8. | 9. | 8. |
| 7. Central State | 2. | 2. | 13. | 12. | 2. |
| 8. -3 Elizabeth City State | 6. | 12. | 5. | 5. | 5. |
| 9. Morehouse | 4. | 9. | 11. | 10. | 1. |
| 10. Fort Valley State | 17. | 8. | 4. | 8. | 10. |
Drum Major 
- Miles
- Central State
- Edward Waters
- Morehouse
- Virginia State
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
- Elizabeth City State
Auxiliaries 
- Morehouse
- Central State
- Talladega
- Miles
- Elizabeth City 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.