VSU Trojan Explosion Marching Band To Perform At The 2023 Honda Battle Of The Bands
Virginia State University has been selected as one of six HBCU bands to perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB). The VSU Trojan Explosion will compete in the highly regarded event on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Alabama State University in Montgomery. As a selected university, VSU will receive a $50,000 grant from Honda to support VSU music education programs.
Virginia State University returns to the highly regarded event this weekend after a 10-year hiatus.
Virginia State University has been selected as one of six HBCU bands to perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB). The VSU Trojan Explosion will compete in the highly regarded event on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Alabama State University in Montgomery. As a selected university, VSU will receive a $50,000 grant from Honda to support VSU music education programs.
Honda Battle of the Bands is the nation's premier showcase for HBCU marching bands and dance teams. Honda invited all HBCU marching bands to participate in the 2022-2023 HBOB program. After fans nationwide cast more than 100,000 online votes, the final six bands were selected through a voting process.
This is the 10th year that Virginia State University has been selected to participate in the competition. VSU's last appearance was in 2012. The VSU Trojan Explosion has participated in the competition more than any other school attending this year. Each of the participating bands received an all-expense-paid trip to the event.
"As a second-generation Trojan, I have benefitted tremendously from the music programs at Virginia State University. Traveling and performing with the band gave me experiences I will never forget," said VSU Band Director Taylor Whitehead. "Now I am excited to be given a chance to offer similar experiences to present-day VSU students and give back to a program that gave me so much."
The event will be live-streamed on February 18, 2023. It will be hosted by HBCU alumnus, radio host, and legendary comedian Rickey Smiley; and Emmy Award-winning talk show host, actress, and comedian Loni Love. In addition, Superstar and HBCU alumnus 2 Chainz will take the stage for the halftime show.
Visithttps://www.hondabattleofthebands.comto register to watch the Honda Battle of the Bands live and support the Virginia State University Trojan Explosion Band.