The energy was palpable as NCCU's Sound Machine Marching Band and ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets were the main events in a musical back-to-back performance that had the crowd on their feet. Some may have felt the absence of Florida A&M University (FAMU), but the bands brought the heat, ensuring the spirit of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) culture was alive and thriving.We don’t have to tell you it went down at the #OrangeBlossomClassic Battle of the Bands! 🥁🍊🔥
— orangeblossomfc (@orangeblossomfc) September 1, 2024
Drop some 🔥 if you were in the building!#OrangeBlossomClassic #ItsTheReunion #OBCBattleOfTheBands pic.twitter.com/amd7xospX7
"The importance of the Battle of the Bands is to basically highlight HBCU culture," explains Kendra Bulluck-Major, the executive director of the OBC. "You know, the bands for HBCUs are just as big as the football game itself." Her words rang true as the audience was treated to a spectacle as fierce as any gridiron matchup.
But it wasn't just about the college bands flexing their musical muscles. South Florida's high school bands came to impress, turning the Battle of the Bands into a platform for showcasing the next generation of talent. Fort Lauderdale High School's Thee Sound of the South, Everglades High School's Gator Band, and several other local bands delivered performances that had the crowd roaring with approval.
![ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets performing at the Watsco Center.](https://media1.miaminewtimes.com/mia/imager/u/blog/21192631/asu_s_mighty_marching_hornets.jpeg?cb=1725376955)
ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets deliver an electrifying performance during the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands.
Photo by Zulekha Pitts
The Battle of the Bands wasn't just a prelude to the big game. It was a headliner in its own right. The intensity, creativity, and sheer talent on display made it clear that this event is about more than football — it's a celebration of the cultural vibrancy that HBCUs bring to the table.
While FAMU, the largest HBCU in Florida, has historically been a cornerstone of the OBC, its absence this year didn't dampen the festivities. Established in 1933, the Classic has long been a showcase of Black excellence and HBCU legacy. Although FAMU withdrew from this year's event, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and OBC chairman Oliver Gilbert III reminded everyone that the Classic is about more than just one school.
"Respectfully, I would like to see Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic, but the truth is, the Orange Blossom Classic is bigger than FAMU," Gilbert said during the OBC introductory press conference. "These are wonderful institutions with great alumni. These schools are going to do a great job. We are going to have a great game and a great time."
And a great time it was. The 2024 OBC may have missed FAMU's green and orange, but the Battle of the Bands ensured the festivities didn't miss a beat. At the Watsco Center, the music took center stage, and the show went on — loud, proud, and undeniably lit.
More Photos From the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands
![Dillard High School's Marching Panther Band performing at the Watsco Center.](https://media1.miaminewtimes.com/mia/imager/u/blog/21188407/orange_bc_-_dillard_high_school_marching_panther_band.jpg?cb=1725375069)
Dillard High School's Marching Panther Band showcases synchronized excellence at the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands.
Photo by Zulekha Pitts
![Palm Beach Lakes High School's Ram Regiment Band performing at the Watsco Center.](https://media2.miaminewtimes.com/mia/imager/u/blog/21188408/palm_beach_lakes_high_school_s_ram_regiment_band.jpg?cb=1725375172)
Palm Beach Lakes High School's Ram Regiment Band marches with intensity and flair at the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands.
Photo by Zulekha Pitts
![Everglades High School's Gator Band performing at the Watsco Center.](https://media2.miaminewtimes.com/mia/imager/u/blog/21188410/everglades_high_schools_gator_band.jpg?cb=1725375163)
Everglades High School's Gator Band energizes the field with their spirited performance at the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands.
Photo by Zulekha Pitts
![Southridge High School's Spirit of Southridge performing at the Watsco Center.](https://media1.miaminewtimes.com/mia/imager/u/blog/21188412/south_ridge_high_school_spirit_of_southridge.jpg?cb=1725375106)
Southridge High School's Spirit of Southridge drumline commands the field with precision and intensity at the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands.
Photo by Zulekha Pitts
![Fort Lauderdale High School's Thee Sound of the South performing at the Watsco Center.](https://media2.miaminewtimes.com/mia/imager/u/blog/21188635/fort_lauderdale_high_schools_thee_sound_of_the_south.jpg?cb=1725375426)
Fort Lauderdale High School's Thee Sound of the South wows the crowd with dynamic moves and musical flair at the Orange Blossom Classic Battle of the Bands.
Photo by Zulekha Pitts