The thunder of drums and brass echoed from Savannah State University’s Theodore Wright Stadium on Sunday as nine marching bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities gathered for the 2026 Battle of the Bands. More than 6,000 people packed the stands and endured the heat during the five-hour event, which brought together musicians, drum majors, dancers and color guards from across the South.

The event is less of a traditional competition and more of a showcase, giving each band a chance to put its sound, style and school pride on display. Organizers also hope it gives prospective students a closer look at the participating schools and the broader HBCU experience.

lens

Browse Coastal Lens
Stories on projects, policy, legislation

See more
Bass drummers with the Fort Valley State University marching band prepare to take the field during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Brass instruments lie on the ground following a performance at the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
The Winston-Salem State University color guard performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
A crowd fills the stands at Savannah State University’s Theodore Wright Stadium during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands on Sept. 14, 2026. More than 5,000 people attended the five-hour event. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Winston-Salem State University band director Michael Magruder conducts the marching band during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Dancers with the Virginia State University marching band perform during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Drummers with the Virginia State University marching band leave the field after performing during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Dancers with the Albany State University marching band perform during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
A clarinet player with the Benedict College marching band performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Dancers with the Albany State University marching band perform during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
South Carolina State University music director J. William Nicholas addresses the marching band from atop a ladder during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Members of the Winston-Salem State University marching band perform during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Members of the Talladega College marching band perform during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
The Winston-Salem State University color guard performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Drum majors from Bethune-Cookman University pose for a photo during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
Savannah State University music director Gabriel Arnold conducts the marching band from atop a ladder during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026.
The Savannah State University marching band performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
The Savannah State University marching band performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
The Savannah State University marching band performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America
The Bethune-Cookman University marching band performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026.
A Savannah State University drum major’s busby and staff lie on the field as the marching band performs during the 2026 HBCU Battle of the Bands at Savannah State University on Sept. 14, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America

Justin Taylor is a visual journalist based in Savannah. He is a Catchlight Local/Report for America Corps member. His versatile style blends elements of fine art, photojournalism, and drone photography. A...