Eight HBCU Bands Selected to Perform at 15th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Celebration

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• Alabama A&M University, Marching Maroon & White (Southwestern Athletic Conference) – 4^th appearance
• Alabama State University, Mighty Marching Hornets (Southwestern Athletic Conference) – 5^th  appearance
• Benedict College, Marching Band of Distinction (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) – 1^st appearance
• Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) – 12^th appearance
• Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southwestern Athletic Conference) – 8^th appearance
• North Carolina A&T State University, Blue and Gold Marching Machine (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) – 5^th appearance
• Texas Southern University, Ocean of Soul (Southwestern Athletic Conference) – 2^nd appearance
• Winston-Salem State University, Red Sea of Sound (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) – 6^th appearance

These bands were selected through a process that included online fan voting, as well as feedback from band directors, HBCU school presidents and Honda representatives. Each of the final eight bands will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Invitational Showcase, and their universities will receive a $20,000 grant from Honda to support their music education programs. And as a thank-you to all the bands who participated in this year's voting process, Honda will donate $1,000 to their respective schools' music programs.

"Honda is excited to have the final eight bands take the field at our fifteenth annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase," said Alexandra Warnier, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility for Honda. "We hope fans will join us for this milestone celebration that promises to deliver some fantastic performances."

Tickets to the HBOB Invitational Showcase are available for purchase on the official website, starting at $10. In addition to performances by the final eight bands, Honda will honor one special nominee with the third annual HBCU Power of Dreams Award at the Invitational Showcase. Students, alumni and fans are invited to nominate exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond to help their HBCU community. Nominations can be submitted online at hondabattleofthebands.com/power-of-dreams through November 14.

Fans can follow each band's journey to the Georgia Dome via official HBOB social media channels and join the conversation using #HBOB.

• Facebook – Facebook.com/HondaBattleoftheBands
• Twitter – @The_Honda / Twitter.com/The_Honda
• Instagram – @the_honda / Instagram.com/the_honda
• YouTube - 2016 Invitational Showcase Highlights

For more information on the 2017 Honda Battle of the Bands and the HBCU Power of Dreams Award, visit HondaBattleoftheBands.com.

About Honda

Honda seeks to be a company that society wants to exist, creating products and technologies that improve the lives of people while minimizing the environmental impacts of its products and business operations to ensure a sustainable future. Honda also is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where it does business, to socially responsible business practices and to the promotion of diversity in its workforce. From Honda's involvement in STEM education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to its support of pediatric brain tumor research and volunteer efforts by Honda associates – including environmental clean-up activities – Honda believes in giving back to the communities where its associates live and work. Learn more at csr.honda.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161103/435758

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO

SOURCE Honda

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