Honda Battle of the Bands

The Honda Battle of the Bands (sometimes abbreviated Honda or HBOB) is an annual marching band exhibition which features performances by HBCU bands. Sponsored by Honda, the Invitational Showcase takes place in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia in late January, while the Celebration Tour takes place between the months of August and November at regular season football games, although Honda Battle of the Bands (and its abbreviations) is often intended to refer only to the invitational showcase, which first took place in 2003. Seemingly contradictory to the name, Honda's "battle" is not a competition in the traditional sense; that is, no winner is crowned during the event. Rather, the bands compete for the favor of the audience, each other, and the greater community.

Participation

The fictitious BET Big Southern Classic from the 2002 film Drumline was similar to the HBOB.

Honda Battle of the Bands selection process includes two components -- the "Road to the Honda", which is similar to "Honda's Celebration Tour" in prior years, and the Invitational Showcase.

The selection process for the Invitational Showcase is based on a two voting level process.

In Voting Level 1, one school is selected from each of the four HBCU athletic conferences--the CIAA, the MEAC, the SIAC, and the SWAC--and one independent HBCU, are selected for a total of five bands. The five participating schools are selected by equal parts of the following criteria: Fan voting through an online poll; selections of the commissioners of the four conferences and college presidents; and votes from the band directors. None of the university officials involved in the selection process may vote for their own institution.

In Voting Level 2, three bands are selected at large through an online opinion poll; the top three bands receiving highest fan votes are selected. [1]

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From 2004-2009 the "Honda's Celebration Tour" took place annually at HBCU football venues, often universities' campus stadiums. During this tour, fans, as well as university and conference officials, have the opportunity to see a number of bands in action through their field shows, stands performances, and "Fifth Quarter" (post-game performances). For the Invitational Showcase, each year two bands are selected from each of the four HBCU athletic conferences--the CIAA, the MEAC, the SIAC, and the SWAC--and two independent HBCUs. The participating schools are selected by equal parts of the following criteria: Fan voting through an online poll; selections of the commissioners of the four conferences and college presidents; and votes from the band directors. None of the university officials involved in the selection process may vote for their own institution.

History

Since its inception in 2003, The following colleges have participated in the Honda Invitational Showcase:

Trivia

• The fictitious BET Big Southern Classic from the 2002 film Drumline was similar to the HBOB.

2009

External links

• hondabattleofthebands.com official web site

Year	CIAA	MEAC	SIAC	SWAC	Independents
2003	Johnson C. Smith	FAMU	Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Morris Brown, Tuskegee	Grambling	Tennessee State
2004	Johnson C. Smith, Virginia State	Bethune-Cookman, FAMU	Clark Atlanta, Tuskegee	Alabama State, PVAMU	Savannah State, Tennessee State
2005	NC Central, Virginia State	Bethune-Cookman, FAMU	Clark Atlanta, Tuskegee	Alabama A&M, PVAMU	Langston, Savannah State
2006	NC Central, Virginia State	Bethune-Cookman, FAMU	Clark Atlanta, Tuskegee	Jackson State, PVAMU	Central State, Langston
2007	NC Central, Virginia State	Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State	Albany State, Clark Atlanta	Alabama State, PVAMU	Central State, Langston
2008	Shaw, Virginia State	Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State	Albany State, Tuskegee	UAPB, Texas Southern	NC Central, Winston-Salem State
2009	Fayetteville State University, Virginia State	Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University	Kentucky State University, Tuskegee	Jackson State University, Texas Southern	NC Central, Edward Waters College
2010	Virginia State University	Florida A&M University	Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Tuskegee University	Southern University, Prairie View A&M University	North Carolina Central University