The October version of the Crimson Lobster Band of the 12 months (BOTY) competitors has arrived, and the newest outcomes have shaken up the HBCU marching-band panorama.
After ending behind North Carolina A&T in September, Florida A&M College’s “Marching 100” made a significant leap to assert the No. 1 general place with a rating of 321.57. The Norfolk State College “Spartan Legion” follows carefully at 319.37, whereas North Carolina A&T College’s “Blue & Gold Marching Machine” slides to 3rd at 317.03 in a discipline the place the highest three bands are separated by barely 5 factors.
Southern College’s “Human Jukebox” holds fourth, and Jackson State College’s “Sonic Increase of the South” rounds out the highest 5—however with an asterisk. Each Jackson State and Bethune-Cookman College’s “Marching Wildcats,” ranked fifth and sixth respectively, have formally withdrawn from BOTY finals consideration, although their performances are nonetheless being adjudicated and scored this month for analysis functions.
HBCU Division I Prime 12 General
1Florida A&M College – The Marching 100 – 321.572Norfolk State College – Spartan Legion – 319.373 North Carolina A&T State College – Blue & Gold Marching Machine – 317.034 Southern College – Human Jukebox – 315.445 **Jackson State College – Sonic Increase of the South – 314.61 *** (Withdrawn from finals consideration)6 **Bethune-Cookman College – Marching Wildcats – 310.49 *** (Withdrawn from finals consideration)7 Alabama A&M College – Marching Maroon & White – 298.628 Hampton College – The Marching Drive – 295.779 Prairie View A&M College – Marching Storm – 294.3410 Grambling State College – World-Famed Tiger Marching Band – 293.9011 Texas Southern College – Ocean of Soul – 290.2712 South Carolina State College – Marching 101 Band – 289.55
(Denotes withdrawal from finals consideration.)
Class Highlights
In Musicality, Norfolk State’s Spartan Legion tops the checklist, adopted by Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, and North Carolina A&T.
“Bands are enhancing their musicality in an environment of aggressive comradery,” mentioned Dr. Julian White, BOTY Co-Chair. “A number of bands have moved up within the rating, which demonstrates the effectiveness of intensive rehearsing on music and marching fundamentals.”
In Footage, Drill & Design, Jackson State’s Sonic Increase stays elite, taking first place regardless of its withdrawal. Norfolk State, Grambling, and Southern observe, with North Carolina A&T rounding out the highest 5.
The Blue & Gold Marching Machine took first place in Percussion, with Norfolk State and FAMU trailing shut behind.
In the meantime, Florida A&M’s drum majors proceed to set the nationwide normal, main that class forward of Alabama A&M and North Carolina A&T.
The Southern College Fabulous Dancing Dolls hold their program on prime of the Auxiliaries class, edging out A&T and Bethune-Cookman.
A New Chief, Similar HBCU Excellence
For Florida A&M, the climb again to No. 1 is each symbolic and strategic. “We had an excellent band that received the 2024 ESPN Band of the 12 months,” mentioned Dr. Shelby Chipman, FAMU Director of Bands. “We really feel like our 2025 FAMU Band is simply as sturdy. Our college students and workers will proceed to pursue excellence that fosters our FAMU Band Motto.”
Norfolk State’s Spartan Legion stays in hanging distance, sustaining consistency throughout musical and visible classes. North Carolina A&T’s Blue & Gold Marching Machine, which held the No. 1 spot in September, stays a contender because it leads all packages in percussion and continues to impress with precision and energy.
“Till you get to Atlanta, bands are solely competing with themselves,” famous Don P. Roberts, BOTY Govt Advisor. “The month-to-month rankings are a device for progress. The outstanding success of bands like Benedict, Hampton, and Alabama A&M exhibits what occurs once you deal with this as a instructing alternative.”
Voices from the Podium
For Dr. Thomas Jones of Hampton College, the Crimson Lobster BOTY rankings function each affirmation and motivation.
“In The Marching Drive, we face distinctive challenges and adversity,” Jones mentioned. “Our college students and workers present up each day able to elevate one another up and tackle the world. Although we’re one of many smaller bands in our division, we take delight in pushing our craft ahead and utilizing adjudication as a device for progress.”
BOTY Chair Professor Dowell Taylor believes that the method continues to raise the usual for all HBCU band packages.
“The Band of the 12 months has had a noticeable and extremely valued affect,” he mentioned. “Administrators inform us that the analysis course of permits them to view their packages from a novel perspective, guided by professionals who perceive the artwork and science of marching band excellence.”
Momentum Constructing Towards Atlanta
Because the season strikes into November, the stakes are rising. The October standings recommend a good race heading into the ultimate month-to-month analysis that determines who will march into the 2025 ESPN Crimson Lobster Band of the 12 months Championships in Atlanta. The highest 5 cumulative scores shall be into consideration for the 2 slots in Atlanta primarily based on plenty of elements.
Packages akin to Alabama A&M’s Marching Maroon & White and Hampton’s Marching Drive made vital beneficial properties, whereas Prairie View’s Marching Storm and Grambling’s World-Famed stay regular Prime 10 staples.
And though Jackson State and Bethune-Cookman have withdrawn from finals consideration, their inclusion on this month’s scoring continues to offer an vital benchmark for the remainder of the sector—providing context, competitors, and a reminder of simply how deep the HBCU marching-band custom runs.
“The Band of the 12 months rankings usually are not nearly ending No. 1,” Roberts mentioned. “They’re about each day enchancment, skilled studying, and elevating the bar for the complete HBCU band group.”
