The Alcorn State University Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band delivered a commanding performance for more than 15,000 fans at the HBCU Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands on Sunday, Aug. 31, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The event featured 10 of the nation’s top HBCU marching bands in a thrilling exhibition of musical artistry and showmanship.

The band opened its show with a high-energy drill to Michael Jackson’s classic hit, “Off the Wall.” The performance continued with a dynamic transition into a field formation that spelled out “ALCORN” as the band played an Alcorn State classic, “It’s Real Real” by James Ingram. The World-Renowned Golden Girls, recognized as a top danceline among HBCU bands, dazzled the crowd during a featured performance to Beyoncé’s “America Has a Problem.”

“This performance was a great start to what will be a memorable season for the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite, and it was a joy to see our students perform on this stage,” said Dr. Everson Martin, director of bands. “We are proud to see HBCU culture and a love of the arts at an all-time high, and it is a privilege to contribute to that legacy.”

The band’s impressive field show resonated with fans, who later voted the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite as number one in the HBCU Band Poll: Who Won the Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands? poll, sponsored by hbcusports.com. While the event was an exhibition with no official winner, the poll allowed attendees to voice their opinions on the best performance of the night.

“This was my first time performing with a collegiate band, and it was an unforgettable experience,” said Alexander Thomas of New Orleans, La., a freshman music education major. “To be able to represent Alcorn and contribute to the legacy of the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite in front of such an amazing crowd felt incredible.”

The lineup of bands included Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Talladega College, Alabama A&M, Langston University, Alabama State, Grambling State, Mississippi Valley State, Southern University, and Jackson State.

The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite’s participation marked its first time in the classic, and the band’s presence began a season that will culminate in a historic performance at the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Donations to the band’s March to Macy’s fundraiser can still be made at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/i2lWWg?vid=1lcgyc.