Diverse News 2007®

Honda Battle of the Bands All Set to Step Lively Into Its Sixth Year
		The Bethune Cookman College Marching Wildcats. (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Company) TORRANCE, CA UNITED STATES
  42 HBCU Marching Bands Rehearsing Daily for Chance To Appear In Nation's
                          Premier Annual Showcase

    TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- For those who know about the
tradition, the visuals are unmistakable. The first, waist-high step of a
drum major, preparing to lead. The staccato cadence, set with precision by
a lone snare drummer, his corps. following suit. A band director's baton,
pointed just high enough to ignite suspense, passion or fire on the field
with the flick of a finger. Or, the scintillating, measured steps of a
dancer, assessing her footing on the turf before her troupe turns in the
routine of their lives.
    Whether it be the competitive glare in the eyes of the band on the
opposing side of the field, or the family-like respect and embraces of
alumni on either side of the stadium at the final whistle, this is the
black college marching band experience in America. Nothing matches the
culture and pride of America's Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, especially when their music programs are on display. And,
once again, this unique facet of the black college experience will be
celebrated most spectacularly in the 2007-08 Honda Battle of the Bands
Celebration Tour and Invitational Showcase.


    As it prepares to inaugurate its sixth year, the annual Honda Battle of
the Bands program will cast a well earned national spotlight on the
historic spirit, pageantry and showmanship of black college marching bands.
Whatever part of it fans come to see, from their own schools and colors on
parade, to precision marching, chart-topping music, riveting choreography
or just the musicianship, surprises are always in order for people of all
ages as the "the Super Bowl for Black College Marching Bands" returns.
    "Beyond merely entertaining students, administrators, fans and alumni
of these great institutions, HBCU marching bands nurture the future leaders
in education, arts, music, politics and so much more," said Marc Burt,
manager, Communications for American Honda. "Considering all that they give
to us, Honda is proud to help showcase the hard work of these musicians as
the founder and principal sponsor of the Honda Battle of the Bands
program."
    For 2007-08, HBOB will feature 42 participating HBCU Marching Bands.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will again award a total of $142,000 in
grants to the participating marching bands, including $1,000 to each for
their halftime performances at selected football games throughout the fall
season. The Honda Battle of the Bands is comprised of two primary
components: the Celebration Tour and the Invitational Showcase.
    As part of the 2007-08 Celebration Tour, which runs through
mid-November, fans have the opportunity to get interactive by logging on to
the Honda Battle of the Bands Web site to participate in the online opinion
survey, nominating their favorite HBCU marching band. By the conclusion of
the Celebration Tour, the 10 bands that demonstrate the best showmanship,
musicianship and fan interaction will be invited to perform in the
Invitational Showcase on January 26, 2008, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
    The 10 schools selected will each receive an additional $10,000 to
benefit their respective music programs and scholarship funds. Beginning
with the 2008 Invitational Showcase, HBOB has adopted a new selection
process based upon feedback received from the HBCU band directors. While
HBOB will still utilize the on-line opinion poll and college president
selections, band directors will have increased input based upon a two-fold
objective:
    1. To allow the best performing bands in each conference, regardless of
       size or popularity, an opportunity to participate in the showcase.

    2. To improve the selection process by focusing on experts (fellow
       conference band directors) who will have increased influence on the
       selection of participants.
    This year, the selection process will be comprised of two categories.
The first represents the same format that HBOB has followed since the
program's inception with one exception: Only one band from each HBCU
athletic conference and independent program will be selected for a total of
five bands. HBOB will still count the fan opinion poll (1/3), the band
directors (1/3) and the college presidents (1/3) as the selection criteria
for the category.


    The second category will represent selection by the fellow conference
band directors only. Each band director is allowed to vote from the
conference they represent. This category will select the remaining five
bands for each year. Additionally, when a conference or independent band is
selected in this category, they will not be eligible for the category the
following year. They will, however, always be eligible in category one.
    American Honda remains committed to providing the best, fairest
platform to showcase HBCU marching band programs. This year's selection
process will terminate on Friday, November 2nd, 2007, at midnight (EST).
The 10 universities selected for participation in the 2007 Honda Battle of
the Bands Invitational Showcase will be announced on Monday, November 12th.
As always, band directors and college presidents are not permitted to
select their own schools.
    Honda's long-term commitment to the HBCUs was first made more than 18
years ago when it established the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a
program designed to showcase the academic gifts and prowess of HBCU
students. For more information on the Honda Battle Of the Bands, a list of
the 42 participating HBCUs or to enter your nominee for the Invitational
Showcase, visit http://www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.
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