Lincoln University’s Orange Crush Marching Band from Pennsylvania is headed to Atlanta to perform in the 2016 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) Invitational Showcase. The Black college marching band event will be held January 30.
Talented student musicians from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will once again provide a unique display of showmanship, high-energy music and carefully curated choreography during the 14th annual HBOB. The showcase will also feature a performance from rapper Ludacris.
The 2016 lineup also inlcudes Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University and Tennessee State University.
The eight bands were selected through a process that included online fan voting, as well as feedback from band directors, HBCU presidents and American Honda representatives. In addition to a $20,000 grant from Honda to support their music education programs, each participating HBCU will receive travel and accommodations to the Invitational Showcase in Atlanta.
“Honda Battle of the Bands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helps HBCU student musicians showcase their talent, represent their communities and universities, and discover their greatness, both on and off the field,” said Steve Morikawa, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility, American Honda.
The Orange Crush Marching Band participated in the 2015 African American Day Parade in Harlem in September.