Southwestern Athletic Conference

The Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White confirmed its attendance for the 2013 SWAC Battle of the Bands.  At the conclusion of the Toyota SWAC Football Championship, AAMU along with other band member institutions will showcase their group Saturday December 7 in Houston, TX.  The BOTB will be held inside of the professional venue of Reliant Stadium

Through the years, the Marching Maroon and White Band has been the object of a great sense of pride for Alabama A&M University. Subsequently, the Birmingham Grid Forecasters has chosen the group as Band of the Year, for the years 1983, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999.  They have provided half-time entertainment for the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, which was televised nationally by CBS.

Alabama A&M University band program has been in existence since 1890.  The progress of the program has been maintained by an outstanding team of musicians and teachers.  Among these are: William Grant Still, Sr., the father of the renowned American composer, William C. (W. C.) Handy, universally known as the “Father of the Blues”,  Wade Hammonds, the first black to be appointed as Chief Musician (Band Master in the United states Army), Thomas Dawson, James Wilson, Barney Smart Sr., Arthur B. Wesley II, Derrick K. Yates.  The band is currently under the leadership of Carlton J. Wright, a 1986 graduate of Alabama A&M University.