Alabama A&M marching band receives accolades for Battle of the Bands

The Marching Maroon & White, Alabama A&M’s award-winning marching band, competed in the National Battle of the Bands in Houston over the weekend, and received some major kudos for their performance.

The event was designed as a kick-off to the fall HBCU marching band season by showcasing new performances.

Battle of the Bands

The AAMU Band, directed by alumnus Carlton Wright, joined eight marching bands from fellow historically black colleges and universities at the National Battle of the Bands in NRG Stadium. 

In addition to AAMU’s marching band, attendees enjoyed performances by:

• Alcorn State University Sounds of Dyn-O-mite
• Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcats
• Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band
• Kentucky State University Mighty Marching Thorobreds
• North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine
• Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm Band 
• Southern University Human Jukebox.

“People have come to expect great performances by the Marching Maroon and White. Our band never disappoints.”  

AAMU President Daniel K. Wims

A valuable experience

Carlton Wright said the Marching Maroon & White’s performance in Houston was great exposure for the marching band.

“Exposure is a very important part of our mission. Not only do we want to market and promote the University and band program, but we want to ensure that our students are able to travel to various places to experience cultures outside of Normal, Ala.”

AAMU band director Carlton Wright

During the stay in Houston, AAMU Band members were able to enjoy the experience by visiting local attractions and areas around Houston’s medical district.  Wright said the setting was “a great inspiration” to students considering the medical disciplines following their graduation from AAMU.

The annual event also serves to increase exposure of HBCUs and their marching bands, their roles in developing aspiring musicians and future leaders.  More than $700,000 has been awarded to participating schools.

Wright said the Band appreciated the support from President Wims and his cabinet, who attended the stadium performance and the performance held for the Houston Alumni Association meeting. 

Houston alumni donated $5,000 toward the Band’s 2023 trip to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Maroon and White Band supporters are being asked to vote for Band as the best performance at the 2022 HBCU National Battle of the Bands. You can vote for AAMU right here.

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