Metallica names Marching Band contest winners & offers fan engagement lesson [VIDEO]

After learning that their music was a favorite among college and high school marching bands, last April, Metallica announced a contest with almost $200,000 in prizes that challenged marching bands to create performances incorporating Metallica songs into their shows.

Metallica smartly allowed bands to use their music free for the completion and found sponsors TAMA, KHS America, Zildjian, D’Addario Woodwinds, Evans Drumheads, ProMark, Gator, Sweetwater, Conn Selmer, and Hal Leonard to provide winners with instruments and equipment for their music programs.

Metallica also created two Fan Favorite categories so their fans could vote and get involved.

“Over 450 schools accepted our challenge,” wrote the band. “Once submissions closed, fans from all over the country chimed in, casting their votes for their favorite performances, while professional judges narrowed it down to five finalists in each category. Finally, we — as in the members of Metallica chose the grand prize winners!”

“The response blew us away and made for a heated competition,” the band said in announcing the winners.

Metallica Marching Band Contest Winners

COLLEGE (DIVISION 1): AUBURN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE (DIVISIONS 2 & 3): EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY

HIGH SCHOOL (LARGE): DOBYNS-BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL (KINGSPORT, TN)

HIGH SCHOOL (MEDIUM): TIE – BOERNE HIGH SCHOOL (BOERNE, TX) & MALVERNE HIGH SCHOOL (MALVERNE, NY)

HIGH SCHOOL (SMALL): OAKTON HIGH SCHOOL (VIENNA, VA)

FAN FAVORITE (COLLEGE): AUBURN UNIVERSITY

FAN FAVORITE (HIGH SCHOOL): DOBYNS-BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL (KINGSPORT, TN)

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.