The 8th month in the calendar year is a joyous time for bandheads. Besides the steady pitter-patter of combat boots, Drum Major whistles blaring, and freshman complaining about laps and heat, it’s a time of renewal. It’s a time of hard work and lofty expectations for HBCU programs across the country. From Baton Rouge to Baltimore, the routine for getting ready for the upcoming season is pretty much the same.
Of course, everybody has an opinion about who’s gonna do what this season. Our friends over at TSPN Sports have already done their own ‘interesting’ pre-season poll for the upcoming season. BTW, shout-out to Kenn Rashad and the folks over at TSPN for being one of the real online bastions for coverage of HBCU Sports and Culture. I may not necessarily AGREE with this year’s polling, but you gotta respect how long the folks over there have been on the grind. Respect! That being said, VFTS doesn’t make a habit of awarding participation trophies, nor do we put fluff in our prognostications about the bands that will (or won’t ) show out during the season. There’s no dead weight or coat-tail riding around these parts, either.
So without further adieu, here’s the VFTS Band-Head’s Pre-Season top 10 for the upcoming year:
1-t) THE HUMAN JUKEBOX – (Southern University)
Arguably the most consistent band program (among HBCU’s) in the last 2 decades. Whether you like their template or not, there’s no dispute that what they do works year-in, year-out. IJS, when was the last time this program has had a ‘down’ year? Ill sound concept? Check…Consistent drill execution? check…Marketing and Branding of the Program? Check with an exclamation point…The bottom line is that Nathan Haymer and his talented staff haven’t missed a beat, which means the ‘S’ will be the cream of the SWAC ‘elite’…again.
1-t) THE ARISTOCRAT OF BANDS – (Tennessee State University)
If last year’s “Welcome Back, Crats” performance at the 2016 Queen City Battle of the bands didn’t hip you to the fact that the Aristocrat program is back among the elite, This year’s edition will go a long way to solidifying that notion. The Crats built off of last year’s monster season by bringing in an equally strong freshman class to the program. From the looks of this year’s pre-season merge, The Crats may have even MORE momentum than they did last season.
3) THE BLUE & GOLD MARCHING MACHINE – (North Carolina A&T State University)
The ‘Machine’ has quickly become one of the most creative on-field units in all of HBCU’s over the past decade. From the ‘Little Band with the Big Sound’, to the de facto master of the themed halftime show, the Aggie program has done the near impossible; changing the directoral vision and identity of a program without losing their core audiences. The BGMM will have some pretty big shoes to fill, with associate director and music arranger deluxe Mr. Thomas Jones going back to his home by the sea to resurrect the Marching Force’s program. That being said, there’s enough quality and talent at all levels of this program to keep the standard of achievement relatively high.
4) THE SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH – (Jackson State Univ.)
Last year’s Sonic Boom was…solid. Have there been flashier editions of the Boom? Probably. Have there been more impressive sounding editions of the program? Probably. That being said, the 2016-17 version of the Boom was one of the most balanced and versatile ensembles that the craft had to offer last year. The problem that faces the Boom (and practically every other member of the SWAC band landscape) is unseating the 800 pound gorilla in the room that is Southern University. The talent and pedigree has always been there to do so, so it’s going to be interesting to see the product that comes out of Jackson this year.
5) THE MARCHING WILDCATS – (Bethune-Cookman Univ.)
The Marching Wildcats are like a finely tuned watch, or an import compact car; you take care of it and do regular maintenance, it will literally run as long and as accurately as you want it to. Precision and on-field uniformity has been the calling card of the wildcats since Donovan Wells picked up the baton for the first time in their band room. What HASN’T been a strong point in the Wildcats make-up, is musical diversity and show creativity. It’s a very familiar theme, but it’s the ONLY thing keeping this program out of the top 3 EVERY season.
6-t) THE PURPLE MARCHING MACHINE – (Miles College)
The state of Alabama has become ground zero in one of the most intriguing battle for states’ band rights that we’ve seen in a few decades. There are 4 legit HBCU programs that are vying for bragging rights, recruits, and everything else in between. At this very moment, the PMM may be the very best of that bunch. not Alabama State (my alma mater), not AAMU, not state upstart Talladega. Director Willie Snipes, Jr is young, aggressive, and perhaps most importantly, homegrown. The PMM Staff is cooking up something good in Birmingham. it’s gonna be interesting to see what the finished product is.
6-t) THE SOUNDS OF DYNOMITE– (Alcorn State Univ.)
This has been one heck of a 2-3 year run for this program. Great recruiting classes and a greatly improved overall sound concept has been at the center of the SOD’s resurgence. Will they be able to keep up the momentum through this season? If so, the in state rivalry between the SOD and the BOOM could be a win/win for fans of both programs, and band-heads in general.
8) THE MARCHING MAROON & WHITE – (Alabama A&M Univ.)
Now being a Marching hornet and all, this selection kinda made me throw up in my mouth a little bit and gave me the urge to throw scooby snacks and beef jerky treats at the screen, but you’ve got to give the in-state rivals their due; The MMW have become one of the best sounding ensembles in the SWAC under the direction of Carlton Wright. In doing so, they’ve leap frogged smack dab into the upper eschelon of the conference in terms of program visibility, as well as exposure outside of the SWAC.
9) THE MARCHING 100 – (Florida A&M University)
Legacy and Sudler trophies aside, The Marching 100 have been relatively out of the limelight since a now well publicized tragedy ( we ain’t gonna get into that here…) kinda put the entire program on hiatus for a minute. Since then, it’s been about building back to former levels of glory. The funny thing about blue-blood programs is that they’re really never far off; The formulas and structures that are in place are there for a reason. This is gonna be the first season to really evaluate where that return to former glory really is with the 100. One thing’s for sure; The legendary sound quality of the 100 isn’t going anywhere, big band, or small one.
10) THE MARCHING STORM– (Prairie View A&M University) Honestly, there are at least 4 or 5 programs that could’ve filled this #10 slot, but the Marching Storm kinda solidified itself as a band program going in the right direction, given the improved consistency and sound quality the band exhibited last season. One monster freshman class later, and expectations are running high down there in the shadows of Blackshear. Will the improvement in sound quality carry over into this year’s ensemble? That’s always a concern with new numbers and expanded instrumentation. If those numbers translate to positive sound quality, it’s going to make for some pretty exciting times in SWAC battles this season.
Bands on the Cusp:
Texas Southern
UAPB
Norfolk State
Bands on the Hot Seat:
Talladega – The honeymoon is over; The Shine has worn off. the real question is whether or not there will be any residual hangover among band-heads and fans for the TC participation in the inaugural parade for 45’s coronation. If folks start shouting covefe from the stands in Charlotte, we’ll know the hangover isn’t quite done yet.
SCSU – Ok, where do I start; Whether it’s frayed relationships with alumni, staff short-comings, or just a flat-out failure to recruit, The Marching 101 hasn’t been relevant in band-head circles for a good minute now. That’s not to say that the talent isn’t there, but there HAS to be some structural changes made in order for the downward spiral to stop for this program. It’s high time that the folks in charge there REALLY sit down and evaluate where they want the program to go, before it’s too late.
Bama State – *Sigh* There’s absolutely NO REASON for this program to be residing in one of these slots at the beginning of the season. The TALENT is there; The passionate ALUMNI are there. What’s the disconnect? as with the aforementioned Marching 101, amicable relationships between alumni and current staff are essential. We haven’t seen too much from Dr. Oliver’s program to this point, so there’s still time to prove this initial assessment wrong.
And with that, The VFTS Band-Head’s Pre-Season Top 10 comes to a close. If you’re in the Queen City this weekend, make your way to Memorial Stadium to check out what’s quickly become a Band-Head tradition to start the season, The Queen City Battle of the Bands 😏💪
Shout Out to the 5Q All-Stars, and to the fans of Historically Black Colleges & Universities in general. Until Next Entry…
6 thoughts on “The VFTS Band-Head’s HBCU Pre-Season Top 10 for 2017-18”
I can respect this list and my BCU will rise out of that fifth spot. Also, I totally agree about the "BAND Battleground" state of Alabama vying for recruits
I totally agree with the assessment given of my beloved, "Marching 101!" Hopefully, the powers that be will read this and take heed! There is way too much history, tradition and excellence to continue on this same downward path!!!!! Time for a CHANGE!!!!!!!
The state of Alabama has become ground zero in one of the most intriguing battle for states’ band rights that we’ve seen in a few decades. There are 4 legit HBCU programs that are vying for bragging rights, recruits, and everything else in between. At this very moment, the PMM may be the very best of that bunch. not Alabama State (my alma mater), not AAMU, not state upstart Talladega. Director Willie Snipes, Jr is young, aggressive, and perhaps most importantly, homegrown. The PMM Staff is cooking up something good in Birmingham. it’s gonna be interesting to see what the finished product is.
I can respect this list and my BCU will rise out of that fifth spot. Also, I totally agree about the "BAND Battleground" state of Alabama vying for recruits
I agree the 100 will strike again
I totally agree with the assessment given of my beloved, "Marching 101!" Hopefully, the powers that be will read this and take heed! There is way too much history, tradition and excellence to continue on this same downward path!!!!! Time for a CHANGE!!!!!!!
I concur, Robert however,change comes from within.101 has to want to make changes and insist that change occurs.
The who FAMU have had their day in the SUN THEY are done
Fair assessment!! I really can't find fault…well I don't agree with the Jackson placement I wasn't too impress at QC BOTB.. my opinion tho