The VFTS Band-Head’s HBCU Pre-Season Top 10

In the spirit of fellowship with my non-band-head friends and fans out there, I thought it would be only right for a former bandsmen (and someone immersed in the culture) to offer up a PROPER pre-season poll for the upcoming season. It’s STILL an opinion, but it’s one based in observation over the past season (as well as some historical context).

Without further adieu, here’s the VFTS Band-Head’s Top 10
(10 slots is enough.We don’t do participation trophies here.)

1) The Human Jukebox – Southern University
     Consistency, Consistency, Consistency…That’s been the calling card of the Human Jukebox for the past decade. Last season was no different in terms of performance and, more importantly, exposure. Love them or hate them, you know what you’re gonna get on Saturdays when the Jukebox steps on the field. If you’re the band sitting across the field from them, you’d better pack a lunch and be prepared to exhaust lips and the entire show repertoire to keep up. They’ve become the visible standard in terms of the competitive face of our craft. They come into the season still being that standard.


2) The Aristocrat of Bands – Tennessee State University
   Old heads that had been waiting for the AOB to return to past glory don’t have to wait anymore; They’re back with a vengeance. Last year was one of the best sounding AOB bands in a LONG time, and their execution on the field was almost as proficient. Look for the AOB to leave their collective mark during this season, and leave some stands smoking in the process.

3) The Sonic Boom of the South – Jackson State University
    Another ‘blueblood’ band program whose consistency has stood the test of time, the Boom enjoyed a strong season last year on the field and in the stands.The Boom and the Jukebox have been 1 and 1A in terms of being the collective FACE of HBCU band (and culture) to the average fan; I look for a lot of the same this year. The Boom-Box classic has turned in to the DE-FACTO event for band-heads to trek to over the past few seasons.

4) The Blue & Gold Marching Machine – North Carolina A&T State University
    Sometimes you’ve gotta think outside of the box in order to gain new audiences, or to make a old product brand new. The BGMM has taken this idea and have become one of the more creative field programs in all of HBCU band culture. They’re not the first to blend Corps-Style elements into a show band field show, but they’ve done it in such a way that they’ve carved out a brand new identity. This may not be Dr. Hodge’s machine anymore, bur Dr. Kenneth Ruff and staff have put their own indelible stamp on the program, and it’s resulted in one of the more entertaining show concepts you’ll find in the MEAC.


5) The Sounds of Dynamite – Alcorn State University
    Surprised? if you saw the SOD in action last season, you wouldn’t be. Not every program can turn a huge recruiting class into a well blended and POWERFUL ensemble in a single football season. Alcorn did it and fielded one of the best sounding SOD bands in DECADES. It’s going to be really interesting to see whether the staff at Alcorn can maintain the momentum that they generated with last season’s showing.


6-T) The Marching Wildcats – Bethune Cookman Univ./The Marching 100 – Florida A&M University
    Now before the Hatfields & McCoys look at this ranking and start putting on the gloves, I wanna clarify that BOTH programs had great seasons last year; FAMU is still recovering visibility after the Champion tragedy; BCU’s rank here is a bit different.There isn’t a more asthetically pleasing band to look at on the field, than the marching wildcats. That being said, the creativity to maintain audiences for the Wildcats NEEDS to be re-tooled. It’s the only component in their on-field presentation that HASN’T been consistent. 

8) The Purple Marching Machine – Miles College

     ANOTHER surprise? Don’t let the small market school fool you; Miles has been putting in some work in arguably the most competitive state for HBCU programs in the last 5 years. Miles has done a good job of maintaining recruiting and program continuity in the struggle for superiority in Alabama. They’ve closed the gap a bit, and have created fertile ground for ALL the programs in the state {save Tuskegee) to grow.


9) The Mighty Marching Hornets – Alabama State University
     There’s that ‘word’ again…Consistency…When the MMH are doing the small things, paying attention to detail, and being consistent with execution (on-field and music), they’re as entertaining and powerful as any band in this poll. If last weekend’s outing at the Battle For The Crown BOTB in South Carolina was an indicator, The Miracle Band may be moving up this poll in a good way by year’s end.

10) The Marching Maroon & White – Alabama A&M University
    It pains me to say this (as a Marching Hornet…LOL) but the MMW is a decent drill writer away from JUMPING in this poll. The change in sound quality in this program over the last 3 seasons has been extraordinary. there’s still a level of cohesion to be had in show design and execution, but AAMU is literally turning into one of the better sounding bands in the SWAC…Ok…I feel weird giving THAT many complements to Bulldogs before the season starts…smh LOL






On The Cusp:

The M4 – University of Arkansas & Pine Bluff  (the best band that NOBODY ever sees…smh)

The Marching Storm – Prairie View A&M University (HUGE jump in sound quality last season.)


The Marching Tornadoes – Talladega College (TONS of talent and Potential; short on nuance and execution. part of that band shark tank that’s developed in the state of Alabama)

The Spartan Legion – Norfolk State University (budget Cuts and a lack of exposure may have left the Legion out of the top ten, but the QUALITY of talent in the program, and the way they execute a show means that they won’t be on the cusp long.)

That’s it…The VFTS Band-Head Pre-Season Top 10…Shout Out to David Norman and the folks over at BANDTUBE HD for their work at the Battle for the Crown BOTB last weekend! Looking forward to kickin’ it with the 5Q All-Stars (and a number of friends) at the McDonald’s Queen City Battle of the Bands this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Until Next Entry!