For Whom the Band Tolls: And the Winners Are...

WOW! Back in April, we challenged marching bands across the country to create performances incorporating Metallica songs into their shows, and boy, did they deliver in a major way! The response blew us away and made for a heated competition, but the results are in. And the winners are…
College (Division 1): Auburn University - • Metallica Halftime Sho...
College (Divisions 2 & 3): Eastern New Mexico University - • ENMU GSMB - Music of M...
High School (Large): Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN) - • Dobyns-Bennett High Sc...
High School (Medium): TIE
Boerne High School (Boerne, TX) - • Boerne High School Ban...
Malverne High School (Malverne, NY) - • Malverne High School M...
High School (Small): Oakton High School (Vienna, VA) - • Parade to Black - Oakt...
Fan Favorite (College): Auburn University
Fan Favorite (High School): Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN)
Massive thanks to all who brought Metallica to their marching band programs, and congratulations to all the schools who claimed a prize!
If this is the first you’re hearing about this competition, here’s some background. Marching bands at high school and collegiate levels cranked their repertoires up to 11 to compete for nearly $200,000 in equipment by creating the most exciting, unique, and impressive performances incorporating our music.
Over 450 schools accepted our challenge! 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 victors in each category will receive instruments and equipment for their programs thanks to our sponsors TAMA, KHS America, Zildjian, D’Addario Woodwinds, Evans Drumheads, ProMark, and Gator, in partnership with Sweetwater, Conn Selmer, and Hal Leonard.
To learn more about this competition, visit metallicamarchingband.com.
Time marches on!

[@nachop.0502]

I'm one of the members of the Greyhound Sound Marching Band. I'm the one seen playing bass and I could not be more grateful for such a unique opportunity to celebrate such a legendary band. Thanks so much 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@DrumJunkie-pk8oo176]

Congratulations dude 🤘

[@VidusBJ]

Must be amazing one to win this and to be on Metallica’s yt!

[@EbBiggar]

EX COELIS DILEAS GU BRATH

[@nachop.0502]

@@VidusBJ it's surreal

[@jimifelon9813]

505!

[@AKoss139]

I am proud to say I was in my high school band. Metallica is my favorite band. I grew up two towns away from Malverne. This could be the coolest thing ever. Way to support the arts, Metallica!!!

[@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto]

💯

[@johngandolfo2073]

Same from Lynbrook

[@AKoss139]

@@johngandolfo2073 Hewlett 88 married to a Lynbrook 88 😀

[@johngandolfo2073]

@@AKoss139 Nice I'm Lynbrook 03 born 84 🤘

[@AKoss139]

Crazy thing about Metallica back in 1988, for me, they weren't even on the radar. I was stuck in Led Zeppelin and The Who and all the Classic Rock that was being played on the radio. Metallica was still underground and just becoming something that was kind of important in music. It wasn't till 90 when I finally started to make the switch. And then in 96 when I heard Blackened on some obscure sports radio show, that's when it was full on for me and I haven't turned back ever since. And regarding their new album, I listen to You Must Burn! and Too Far Gone all the time because I'm a road warrior salesman and gotta have good music in my ears as much as possible. Proud to say I'm 53 years old and I still and forever will love heavy metal music and Metallica 🤘😀

[@AvStevieStevenJamesDrums]

So awesome you guys are doing this to keep music alive in high schools. It’s a shame that it is disappearing

[@facepalmdaily4404]

Is it, though? People have been saying high school music is disappearing since I was in school, and that was 25 years ago. What I saw in this competition is a LOT of musicians.

[@sleepdeep305]

@@facepalmdaily4404 It is disappearing. Telling you now, I graduated almost 4 years ago and the band I left is about 30% smaller than when I graduated. And nearly 50% smaller than when I was a freshman. There's 33 people left.

[@victoriamedina1906]

@@facepalmdaily4404it is. My local high school bands have dwindled significantly.

[@benjaminbryant3418]

As a member of the AUMB, this competition and our show will undoubtedly be the highlight of my college experience! Thank you guys so much for providing this opportunity!

[@johno6590]

You Bands Geeks are pretty darn cool!

[@somebodyandthem]

Awesome!!

[@ItsAllAboutGuitar]

You guys seriously knocked it out of the park, the city really. How long did it take to prepare? Choreograph and orchestrate?

[@metazoinqb3rt299]

​@ItsAllAboutGuitar it was about 2 full weeks of rehearsal going over this show, our show for the week before this show premiered, and our pregame show! So while learning this we were learning and cleaning two other full shows as well!

[@NObucketLIST]

Keep playin'!! 👍

[@texasshot]

My hometown high school won yay, that’s friggin awesome. Thanks Metallica for the amazing chance that it was to have my hometown put on the map. Cheers to my favorite band!

[@taicarlz5433]

Sono italiana,qui da me ci sarà un solo concerto, purtroppo😢.... Metallica x sempre...

[@NObucketLIST]

I heard Burney, TX!!! Heck yeah!!!👍

[@tonykaze]

450 schools!!!! That's awesome on its own! I hope someone makes a playlist with all 450 so we can watch'em all

[@strawberry_people]

😭😭 I'm literally sobbing I'm a proud freshman of db. I'm so proud of my friends in db's band, I know they worked so hard on it.

[@NObucketLIST]

Keep playin'!!!

[@austinblair1463]

Small town USA won the high school award! That’s so neat! Congrats Kingsport!

[@gamefuzion307]

It’s crazy how Dobins Bennet (Kingsport) is such a small town and they get first place in almost all of their competitions.

[@rejeancomeau77]

Congratulations to all the winners 🏆 👏

[@Mrbruh861]

Im currently a baritone in the pride of malverne marching band i couldnt be more proud!!!❤️

[@NObucketLIST]

Heck yeah!!! Keep it up!

[@gwynwellliver4489]

As a former HS and college band performer and the parent of a former HS drummer, guitarist, and current college musician and metal head, we thank you!!!!❤

[@MashaT22]

Congrats to everyone who participated! Be proud to be a band member - I always enjoy seeing bands perform. You all work hard and those skills will serve you well in life. Wtg to support bands Metallica and all the sponsors!

[@Quantalar]

It’s amazing to see that you guys are doing this 👍

[@lhgolfr]

Congratulations Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band

[@metfreak100]

Congratulations to all winning bands ❤

[@jaymesmustaine684]

As an Alabama native and resident I yell ROLL TIDE but I couldn’t be more proud and happy for Auburn. This takes alot but WAR DAMN EAGLE!!! Metallica you guys are my favorite band ever, have been a fan since the mid 80s. Please never stop rocking and supporting your fans because we love you and will support you always!

[@TheNothing6]

That's awesome! Congratulations to all the school winners! 🤘🏼

[@stringtales]

Auburn and Dobyns where fucking amazing

[@JoeandAngie]

Dobyns-Bennett

[@Hazeyone7977]

Congrats Auburn!!!! War Eagle!!!!!!!

[@Tankernkids1369]

This is freaking awesome. Thank you metallica for doing this. Promoting music in schools and rewarding their hard work. Amazing. Love it!!

[@Metal_David96]

Congrats !!🤘

[@R2robot]

What a cool contest. Congrats to the winners!

[@MrGap3562]

I live in Kingsport TN. and i am so proud of Dobyns Bennett High School. 🎺🥁🎷

[@Umut_Cet]

Great to see that biggest band in the world supporting new kids and bands. Maybe they achievement to continue Metallica's legacy over the centuries.

[@jeanneritter5315]

Congrats to the winners! 👍😎🎶 Great job by all the participants! 👍😎🎶

[@gigistoner8004]

Click on the "more" in the description for links. Too cool! Thank you, Metallica! And congrats to all the bands! I love them all!

[@RRW276]

My son graduated in '20. During HS he was in JROTC, so we'd go to all the football games and my wife and I, along with everyone else, were mesmerized by the talent of the marching band. Their skill and passion was FAR CRY from what marching bands were back in my school days. These kids were so good, so creative and just so passionate, it was awesome to witness. And you also got performances from the visiting teams too which was just as special. We miss those days, Friday Night Lights in Texas. It was the best, a real spectacle! We'd look forward to it all week, helping our kids prepare, all the parties and friendships we made with the other parents. Then our kids graduated and it all went away. I miss it dearly!

[@revwillyg6450]

That Auburn show was incredible. Hope I can see some of the other winners 🤘🏻

[@MOB64]

Way to go Dobyns-Bennett!!! Our city is proud.

[@sgod6617]

Way to go tribe my daughter is a sophomore there.

[@ShellyTN]

Go Dobyns-Bennett High School!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@bowenj33us]

I cannot express in the various languages of humans how happy this makes me. I am OLD enough that I got to see Mr. Cliff Burton in April 1986 at the Richfield Coliseum (hello, Cleveland!!!). My basement is a veritable Metallica shrine. I actually REMEMBER when Dee Snider knocked the socks off Tipper Gore and all the rest who would automatically equate the FREE healthy expression of metal with suicide, Satanism, etc. Now, Metallica is sponsoring community colleges and Frakkin' marching band competitions. I am LOVING this, every single DECADE, gentlemen!!!!

[@bowenj33us]

Honestly, RESPECT! Congrats Auburn (from a redhead, no less!) You sooooo earned your win!

[@KyleHamar]

Congratulations to ENMU. Proud to be an Alumni. Their submission video above shows the stadium in the background where Guns & Roses played their last warm up gig, getting the phone call to be signed by Geffen in 1986.

[@TheSuperSnake313]

Very cool, way to go to everyone involved with this. Wish something like this existed when I was in Marching Band. Now let's get some clips of the performances! 🤘🤘

[@glen3509]

Most Metallica fan's likely know that Mr. Burton was donating Cliff's Metallica royalties to local schools for music programs 🎺🎷🎹🎻🎸. Very cool of Ray to so this gesture 🤘🤘. I can't remember where i read this, though.

[@shardzard2365]

Proud senior of Dobyns-Bennett High School, lived here my whole life and stoked despite not being in marching band

[@PiazzaGurl]

This is beyond great and awesome. 👏👏👏👏👏. Keep inspiring generations to keep playing music and move to their own beat.

[@fredericsalvan7481]

Awesome! I hope we'll see the complete videos 🤩very soon 🎉

[@cornflowermusic]

As an alumni of Dobyns Bennett High School, I am so proud to see that they took the honors for best high school band! Go DB go!

[@JoeandAngie]

1980!

[@TheSuzyfick]

Hello from Illinois, congrats to all of the winners, and to those who participated are all winners too for being METALLICA fans❤

[@aryasarkar3793]

I've been listening to mettalica for the past 30 years and if I could change anything it would be nothing.

[@anigiuran109]

Thank you METALLICA for sharing this beautiful video ! 😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@masonreid9253]

METALLICA IS MY FAVORITE BAND GOT TO SEE THEM METALLICA FOREVER 🤘🤘🤘

[@cessna89811]

Congrats and War Damn Eagle to Auburn University!! Off to never never land!! Won both DIV 1 and fan favorite!! 🤘😎🤟

[@joemcgraw5529]

I have to say that im proud to see the kids see real music that is actually composed and its a dying breed it seems but music will never leave us ,it will always be there from artist that made a mark in History ,no matter what Genre it is

[@Jayteaseepiirturi]

Lars once said "Metallica belongs to everybody". I guess this is what he means. Pretty much everybody knows the name so... Let's associate it with something good. Much like this Marching Band contest. I love it.

[@marcaopayne]

Hi , im from Brazil, ... metallica ❤

[@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto]

What's up Brazilian?! The best place on Earth! ⚡ 🏖 👙 🏊 🍻

[@johncole2469]

Alum of AUMB (1990-1993). Well deserved and WDE!!!!

[@dlite6999]

Congratulations to all who worked hours upon hours to exhaustion to just particupate! You're still rocking the feild! Extra special Metalica congrats to the winners! ❤ Your journeys just begining ❤

[@toddmoore2324]

Awesome! I have family who graduated from Auburn University!

[@Curiosity-band]

Congratulations!!

[@adrianodossantosdejesus9742]

Top!!! Parabéns High School e Metallica!!!!

[@powera2]

Well deserved!!

[@ShadeoftheEvening]

WAR EAGLE!! That's where my kid is. I've actually seen the performance live. Yay!!!!💙🤎 Great job Auburn

[@gerishoop6989]

War Damn Eagle!! My Alma Mater and the Worlds Greatest Metal band of all time!

[@heroesofhylia]

Congratulations to all the winners! Great performances by everyone who participated!

[@haqishaziq]

A pretty great show and the best, the first time I saw it actually got me pretty excited .❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🤘 Steady

[@T_Customs]

I’m a Alabama fan but auburns was so good tbh

[@NoobOnATele]

What a creative way to get New fans

[@aborigen7714]

81 г.р учился в Гурзуфской школе Метлу слушаю и "играю" с 15 лет✅🇷🇺📧 Старперы ТОП!!❤❤❤❤😊

[@LucasGomes-nl6tm]

Very nice, but it would be amazing if we could watch the presentations!

[@curtiscormier8960]

This is awesome metallica is awesome allways brings aout there great songs awesome

[@dontask8979]

OUTSTANDING Congratulations to all.

[@dayrwz]

Hello Robertinho você toca de forma Perfeita esta música!

[@dougmacaulay3105]

This is fantastic. Way to give back!

[@BudhagRizzo]

Thank you for doing this!

[@bluewater82]

Woot woot! NM representing! Hey Rob, how about you guys come back to Albuquerque? Last time we had a show was 2008 🤨

[@denny-zenchiong296]

Beautiful Performance Congratulations!❤

[@marcevargas7366]

congratulations, are great , i love metallica and his four horsemen 😎, Greetings from chile ROBERTOOO 🏴‍☠🎸🤘

[@jonrosa5615]

Hi Metallica I went to your concert in Texas

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

Very cool. Great to see Metallica and the many great sponsors help schools and school bands! Great job to everyone!

[@I3nvyp4in]

HELL YEAH METALLICA 👊☠️👊🎸🔥

[@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto]

Hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AJulaimid]

guys we need to see the full winning performances

[@markferguson1496]

Seriously. ASAP!

[@briankuhn8997]

Would have loved to see the winners submissions .

[@robertharvey2580]

How effin cool. Congrats to the winners!

[@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto]

Please never stop ROCKIN⚠️

[@kelleygieger1598]

HELLZ YEAH!! Auburn won TWICE!!! Proud of our Bama boys and girls!!!

[@amiranovelo59]

this was unexpected but I like it

[@dismalfist]

I'm of an age now where I watch this and think "Oh look at the new young bass player they got in, appreciate this new guy" and he's been Metallica's longest-serving bassist and in the band almost for the majority of their existence. Good on Mr Trujillo and crew for promoting music in schools. It's something sorely lacking in education I think in many places.

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.💍🎂💍💍🎂🎂

[@facepalmdaily4404]

Now we need to see S&M 3: The Band marches on. Make for a hell of a show. We've seen Metallica with symphony twice. Now turn up the intensity and give us Metallica with Drum and Bugle corp (marching band)

[@phillippitts6294]

I live in the tri- cities! Congratulations to DB high school

[@timoutlaw9763]

Congratulations to all the Bands ❤❤❤❤

[@coryjorgensen622]

Way to go Oakton cougars and all bands! Thank you, Metallica!

[@Emo_Vibes]

Nearly 1,000 in three minutes, jeez

[@levinocolaco4480]

Cliff Burton !

[@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto]

🕊 🎸 💔

[@sisselbakke420]

CONGRATS to the winners🤘🤘🤘

[@SnakesandDoggies]

Sweetwater? I LOVE that song!, best tune in Westworld! Choo choo! 🚂

[@The_main_Character.]

I WAS IN THE DB BABD

[@JoeandAngie]

1980 and not in tbe band lol

[@The_main_Character.]

@@JoeandAngie are you sped? I was in one of the winning marching bands?

[@stevenrodriguez9655]

Where can I watch these performances? So cool

[@u_got_sarged1006]

Links are in the video description

[@taicarlz5433]

Sono italiana,mi sento un po' emarginata....nessuno lo parla?....non fa niente parlo 3 lingue😊... questo anno li posso vedere in Italia... purtroppo una volta😅

[@Western_avgeek]

Congrats

[@eltigerxd]

Fantastic, video !☆!

[@chrishyde6766]

Fantastic project Metallica....my estimation of you all has gone even higher now...awesome

[@alexvega2543]

Way to go Boerne greyhounds. 👌🏼💪🏼👍

[@chrisrodsa210]

Hell yeah, as a San Antonio native and Boerne in our backyard, it's great news.

[@kbs8597]

This was an amazing contest!

[@Lordofflames378]

Love ya rob! You and cliff made me wanna learn bass after james made me wanna play guitar 😅😅 much love from California❤

[@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto]

🎸 ☺

[@Lordofflames378]

@@SorbetthekindUbuyina2ndhandsto 🎸\m/

[@TheRealJakeProductions]

So Proud

[@haskell420]

MALVERNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LFG!!! (I didn't go their, but it's a Long Island school!!!!)

[@SnakesandDoggies]

"We're all winners!" (Seinfeld, Woody Woodpecker episode!) ✌💙