TORRANCE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Eight of the nation?s top Historically Black College and University
(HBCU) marching bands are preparing to bring a show to Atlanta that will
defy expectations. An audience of fans and followers expected to exceed
60,000 will make a pilgrimage to the Georgia Dome to experience a
musical extravaganza ? in the form of a black college ?homecoming? ? as
the 10^th anniversary Honda Battle of the Bands kicks off at
3:00 p.m. on January 28, 2012.

The Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” marching band will take the field fifth at the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, scheduled to take place January 28, 2012 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. They are one of eight Historically Black College and University bands that will perform at the upcoming 10th anniversary showcase. Other details like band performance order and a show additions released this week as HBCU band friends, fans and alumni snap up tickets in anticipation of this highly anticipated event. (Photo: Business Wire)

To kick-off ?The Homecoming,? the bands will take the field promptly at
3:00 p.m. EST for the highly anticipated 10^th annual
Invitational Showcase. The final eight showcase bands will perform in
the following order:

1. Jackson State University ?The Sonic Boom of the South? (facing press
box)

2. Virginia State University ?Trojan Explosion Marching Band? (away from
press box)

3. South Carolina State University Marching ?101? (facing press box)

4. Albany State University ?Marching Rams Show Band? (away from press
box)

5. Winston-Salem State University ?Red Sea of Sound? (away press box)

6. Tennessee State University ?Aristocrat of Bands? (facing press box)

7. Prairie View A&M University ?Marching Storm? (away press box)

8. Bethune Cookman University ?Marching Wildcats? (facing press box)

New for the 10^th anniversary Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB)
and honoring a singular facet of HBCU culture, the 2012 showcase will
kick-off with a rhythmic, first-ever ?drumline? showcase spotlighting
the crowd-pleasing, heart-thumping drum sections of all eight marching
bands.

The eight selected bands have begun intensive preparations for their
Georgia Dome performances. Each band will have 12 minutes to display the
musical excellence, distinctive style and superior showmanship that
earned them a place in the 2012 Invitational Showcase. The Showcase
bands were chosen via online voting, with votes by fans, students and
alumni accounting for one-third of the selection criteria, and votes by
band directors and school presidents accounting for the balance of the
selection process.

The 10^th anniversary HBOB themed ?The Homecoming,? is a
culmination of ten years of tradition, and represents a legacy of
fervent competition and commitment. ?When you say ?homecoming? to
someone who attended an HBCU, it?s about a great deal more than just a
football game,? said Barbara Ponce, Manager of Diversity Advertising for
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. ?Homecoming means camaraderie, fellowship
and a shared heritage, recalling where you came from and celebrating the
role your school experience has played in making you who you are today.
Capturing this homecoming spirit is our goal with this year?s Honda
Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.?

In addition to reflecting on the 10^th anniversary of HBOB as
a call for all HBCU marching band alumni, current students and fans to
attend this special anniversary showcase event, the homecoming theme
also highlights the importance of the marching band culture and
community to black college homecoming celebrations. Just as ?The Yard?
on HBCU campuses serves as the community gathering place for all
homecoming activities, the Georgia Dome will be transformed into ?The
Honda Battle of the Bands Yard? to re-create the HBCU homecoming
experience.

Grants, Internships and More

In addition to providing a platform for shining a spotlight on the
successful music education programs at America?s HBCUs, HBOB is also the
only national music scholarship program of its kind. For the 2012
program, the 41 HBCU marching bands that participated in the
?Celebration Tour,? the pre-qualifying series of regional events, were
each awarded a $1,000 grant for their music programs. An additional
$20,000 is awarded to each of the eight institutions participating in
the Invitational Showcase.

For more information on the Invitational Showcase visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com,
the official online destination and clearinghouse for all HBOB
information. For downloadable, broadcast quality, video and
high-resolution photos please go to epklink.com/hondabattleofthebands.
Group and individual tickets for the show are still available, but are
moving quickly. They can be purchased at the Georgia Dome Box Office,
via www.Ticketmaster.com
or www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com
for just $10 and $12.

Honda Battle of the Bands on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HondaBattleoftheBands
Honda
Battle of the Bands on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/the_honda
Honda
Battle of the Bands on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/hondabotb

About Honda

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., was founded in 1959 as the U.S. sales
and marketing subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda
currently produces automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles,
lawn-care equipment and engines at its eleven major U.S. manufacturing
operations, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda?s
long-standing commitment to the support and success of the nation?s
Historically Black Colleges and Universities began more than 20 years
ago with the establishment of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a
program designed to showcase the academic gifts and prowess of HBCU
students. American Honda established Honda Battle of the Bands nine
years ago as an effort to support HBCU music programs.

Photos/Multimedia?Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50080149&lang=en