Hello, and welcome to another edition of View From The Sidelines! The 1st Ever HBCU Band National Championship quest is on the horizon. VFTS takes a look at the programs to look out for. ESPN polling will be part of the adjudication framework for determining a champion. We’ll look at the favorites and under-the-radar names that will make the inaugural race for the brass ring an exciting event. First up? The HBCU second division.
1). The Benedict College Marching Tiger “Band of Distinction”
The MTBOD is the best band program in the SIAC, and arguably the most polished band in this poll when it comes to having a complete audio and visual package to offer fans during performances. Their shows have an incredible amount of continuity from beginning to end, and they’ve got the sound quality to make those shows really connect with audiences. Out of all the band programs in the D2 race, they’ve got the most complete performance concept, which makes them a REAL threat to hold up the trophy in Atlanta during Celebration Bowl weekend.
2). The Kentucky State University “Mighty Marching Thorobreds”
The MMT has been a bit of a revelation within HBCU bandom circles over the past few seasons. The ensemble has one of the biggest sounds, pound-for-pound, in the division. Their performances on the big stage last season, more specifically at the Pepsi National BOTB in Houston and an indoor stands session head-to-head with one of the better programs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in Alabama State, cemented their status as a program on the rise in the craft. They’ll need to continue on that azimuth of growth to make Championship weekend. If they can maintain the same showmanship and sound quality that raised eyebrows among fans in 2022, championship weekend will definitely be within their grasp.
3). The Miles College “Purple Marching Machine”
Miles has been a fixture at the top of the SIAC band scene for a long time. They’re a regional presence on the parade scene and at Mardi Gras, but the national championship competition framework may give wider audiences a chance to see the full potential of this program. The PMM has been a consistent program execution-wise on the field, but they may need to dig into the creativity bag more in order to set themselves apart from the rest of the competition for championship weekend. The sound quality and overall talent is there for that push, though.
4). The Langston University “Marching Pride”
The first true ‘big’ field presence in the poll. The Marching Pride may not get the exposure that some of the other CIAA and SIAC programs do, being in an NAIA-centric conference, but their precision in drill has them squarely in the hunt for Celebration Bowl weekend. There have been times when the show continuity hasn’t been consistent, but the potential is there for a truly HUGE and engaging field presence when those elements are there. Will they take potential advantage of the increased visibility? Can they adapt their field concept to the competitive standard needed to punch a ticket to the ATL? The potential for all of that is definitely there.
5). The Virginia State University Marching “Trojan Explosion”
The CIAA has got a number of up-and-coming programs, but the Trojan Explosion is among the conferences’ best. The band’s field concept and show design, much like Benedict, are tailor-made for the rigors of field adjudication. When the numbers and instrumental balance are there, the potential for outstanding, theme-driven performances is there. The question will be whether the talented lower and middle brass sections renowned with the program will have their complement in other sections of the band. If they do, they also can be a real contender for the final weekend.
6). The Talladega College “Marching Tornado” Band
Talladega evokes a WIDE spectrum of opinions from folks within the craft. For a program that doesn’t have the benefit of a football apparatus, they’ve done absolute wonders building their brand as one of the better band programs at this level of visibility. The question is whether Dega can shake those past ‘narratives’ about performance quality and on-field execution. The sound potential there COULD be D1 level with work. The national championship chase may be just the right stage for the Tornados to step their collective game up to another level.
7). Winston Salem State University “Red Sea Of Sound”
The RSOS has the benefit of having one of the more storied names in the craft heading the program up in Dr. Michael Magruder. The program has been near or at the top of the CIAA pecking order for the better part of this decade. They’ve got a good sound concept for a program their size and they execute fairly well on the field in the drill. They’ll need to polish show continuity, pace, and audience engagement to take that step to D2 Championship weekend.
8). The Central State University “Invincible Marching Marauders”
There may not be a more storied ( or dangerous) program in the poll than the IMM. They’ve been the standard for D2 HBCU bandom in the Midwest, and the platform of the National Championship chase may just be the place to bring that tradition back to visibility in the culture in a BIG way. Having a program builder in Blake Gaines doesn’t hurt matters, either. Seeing the marching marauders back on the National Stage will be a boon for spreading the culture more in those parts west of the Mississippi, and beyond.
9). The Albany State University “Golden Rams Marching Show Band”
The SIAC is an underrated conference within the culture. Lots of growing and developing programs. The MSRB may be the single program of that tier that has the potential to make the BIGGEST jump among that crowd. This may be particularly true with the influx of staff talent coming over from Kentucky State. How will that staff addition influence recruiting, field presence, and overall performance identity? There’s enough excitement around the program to include them here in this poll. The SIAC is gonna be an exciting place for fans during this run to Celebration Bowl weekend.
10). The Savannah State University “Powerhouse Of The South” Marching Band
The newest (and possibly smallest) program in this poll has a field presence and sound quality that goes beyond its size and age as a viable program. There’s a great foundation there being built. It’s going to be interesting to see them grow and be able to do so within this new competitive marching band framework. How much growth will be seen out of SSU? It’s hard to say, but a truly SOLID technical foundation for that growth and development is there.
Up Next: Florida Memorial, Lane College, Wilberforce University, Clark-Atlanta University
That’s it for the 1st Pre-Season VFTS National Championship Poll (D2). Stay tuned for the Pre-Season VFTS D1 National Championship Poll in the next entry. Until then!
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