On October 22, 2016 Alcorn State University hosted its second annual High School Battle of the Bands at Spinks-Casem Stadium. The battle featured 17 high schools from Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
The schools were split into three different divisions based on the amount of members each band had. The White Division featured Jefferson County High School from Fayette, MS; Port Gibson High School from Port Gibson, MS; Holmes County High School from Lexington, MS; Yazoo City High School from Yazoo City, MS; Rayville High School from Rayville, LA and Eastside High School from Cleveland, MS.
The Purple Division consisted of Natchez High School from Natchez, MS, General Trass High School from Lake Providence, LA, McComb High School from McComb, MS, Moss Point High School from Moss Point, MS, Wilkinson County High School from Woodville, MS, Heidelberg High School from Heidelberg, MS and Northwestern High School from Opelousas, La while the Gold Division featured Jim Hill High School from Jackson, MS, P.A. Memorial High School from Port Arthur, TX and Pine Bluff High School from Pine Bluff, Ark.
The high schools were judged on field shows, stand battles, and drilling precision. The judges were Dr. Renardo Murray, Alcorn State University Band Director, Everson Martin, Assistant Band Director at Alcorn State University, Brian Sterling, Assistant Band Director at Alcorn State University and Melton Harvey, Assistant Band Director at Alcorn State University. Once the competition had been completed and the scores were tabulated the winners were announced from each division.
WHITE DIVISION
1st Place – Holmes County High School
2nd Place – Heidelberg High School
3rd Place – Rayville High School
PURPLE DIVISION
1st Place – General Trass High School
2nd Place – Northwest High School
3rd Place – Natchez High School
GOLD DIVISION
1st Place – Memorial High School
2nd Place – Greenville High School
3rd Place – Jim Hill School
The grand champion of the event was P.A. Memorial High School from Port Arthur, Texas.