Honda Battle of the Bands All Set to Kick-Off

HBCU Marching Bands Compete for Coveted Slots in Annual Invitational Showcase at the Georgia Dome

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 31 -- As this year's college football season begins, the highly-anticipated Honda Battle of the Bands program also kicks into high gear. For the third consecutive year, 41 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will participate in this one-of-a-kind program that highlights the historic spirit, pageantry and showmanship of the HBCU marching bands.

The Honda Battle of the Bands offers a grand stage to showcase these dynamic music programs, which will "battle" throughout the Celebration Tour for a coveted spot at the Invitational Showcase. As the sponsor, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will award a total of $141,000 in grants to the participating marching bands, including $1,000 to each for their halftime performances at selected football games throughout the season.

"Honda is proud to celebrate the rich tradition of these magnificent Historically Black College and University bands," said Barbara Ponce, manager of Emerging Markets National Advertising for American Honda. "This program provides Honda an opportunity to highlight the excellence of these extraordinary bands and their institutions."

The Honda Battle of the Bands is comprised of two components: the Celebration Tour, and the Invitational Showcase. As part of the Celebration Tour, which runs through 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.

At the conclusion of the Celebration Tour, the 10 bands that demonstrate the best showmanship, musicianship and fan interaction will be invited to "represent" at the 2005 Invitational Showcase on January 29 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The 10 schools selected will each receive an additional $10,000 toward their respective scholarship funds. The invitees will include the two top bands from each of the four HBCU athletic conferences (CIAA, SWAC, MEAC, SIAC) and two independent schools.

The selection process for the Invitational Showcase is based upon a three- tiered evaluation:

  -- One-third of the points will be from online fan nominations received at
     http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/ .
  -- One-third will be from the commissioners of the four conferences, and
     school presidents.
  -- One-third will be from the HBCU band directors.

Commissioners, presidents and band directors are not permitted to vote for their own school(s). All online surveys must be completed and submitted by November 5. On November 15, American Honda will announce the bands that will perform at the Invitational Showcase.

Honda's long-term commitment to HBCUs was first made 15 years ago when it established the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a program that is designed to showcase the academic gifts of HBCU students. Honda supports HBCUs because of the unique and unsurpassed educational and cultural experiences that only HBCUs offer.

For more information on the Honda Battle of the Bands or to enter your nominee for the Invitational Showcase, visit http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/ .