Historically Black college and university marching bands and dancers are part of a beloved tradition. Marching bands showcase incredible charisma and talent, and lately have been finding their way into major media moments like the pop star Beyoncé’s stupendous “Homecoming” performance at the 2018 Coachella festival. The HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands returns this year, as the world’s largest exhibition of HBCU bands and dancers. The event takes place Feb. 4 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and will feature six competing college marching bands, and for the first time, two Atlanta high school bands. To talk more about the showcase, “City Lights” host, Lois Reitzes was joined via Zoom by Lindsey B. Sarjeant, chairman of the Battle of the Bands and Music Department chair at Florida A&M University, and Donovan Wells, music and band director for Bethune-Cookman University.
Interview highlights:
Less battle, more band pride and relationship-building:
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