BRENHAM, Texas — The Blinn College Buccaneer band has found themselves in the finals of a marching band contest sponsored by prominent heavy metal band Metallica.
The "Form Whom the Band Tolls" competition gives bands access to the band's music and encourages them to create unique shows with a chance to win equipment for their programs provided by Metallica and the event's sponsors.
"This past spring, Metallica, in conjunction with major music industry partners, decided to sponsor a marching band competition that encouraged bands across the country to perform shows based on their substantial music catalog," said Dr. Sarah Burke, Director of Bands for Blinn on blinn.edu. "Metallica generously provided music and the rights to allow groups to creatively produce shows featuring their music."
The Buccaneer band's entry into the competition included Metallica's "Lux Aeterna," "Master of Puppets," "Wherever I May Roam," and "Breadfan." The band's submission in the contest can be viewed below.
If you'd like to vote for the Blinn Buccaneer band, text #UBLINNCOLLEGE to 833-609-0330. Only one vote per category is allowed, per competition rules. Those votes will go towards the winners of the "fan favorite" category.
The winners of the competition will be announced the first week of 2024, with voting ending at the end of the year. Should the Buccaneer band win the fan favorite category, they will receive a $10,000 prize.
"We are thrilled to have been selected as a top five finalist in our collegiate division," said Burke. "Perhaps what I am most proud of is that to my knowledge, we are the only junior college program that submitted an entry and are in competition with all of the NCAA Division 2 and 3 four-year programs. It is an honor to be in such great company. This accomplishment truly showcases our students' ability to compete at the highest levels and hold their own against groups that have junior and senior-level performers."
The finalists for the Division 2 and & College group include:
- Blinn College
- Eastern New Mexico University
- Manchester University
- West Texas A&M University
- Western Illinois University
Click here to view all of the submissions from the bands that have participated. You can also click here to read the full news release on blinn.edu.
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