Auburn University Marching Band Wins National Metallica Competition with Show Featuring my Arrangements

I’m thrilled and proud to announce that the Auburn University Marching Band has won the Metallica “For Whom the Band Tolls” competition, with a show that featured many of my arrangements. The national competition featured multiple collegiate divisions, as well as a high school division, and there were over 400 applicants. The winners in each division were selected by the band members of Metallica. The Auburn Band will win $75,000 in percussion and electronics equipment, as well as the $10,000 cash prize for the “Fan Favorite” award they earned through public voting.

Congratulations to all of the student performers who made this happen, as well as the fantastic staff at Auburn. Special thanks to Dr. Corey Spurlin, Director of the AU Marching Band, Dr. Nikki Gross, Assistant Director and drill writer for this show, Bob Thurston who wrote the “Enter Sandman” portion of the closer, Aaron Locklear who wrote the percussion and electronics for the show, and of course Auburn and AUMB Ben Brisendine who helped develop and oversee the amazing lighting system that made this show so special. Please forgive me if I failed to list everyone involved, because this was a huge project that took the work and talents of so many people.

It was amazing and a little surreal hearing my charts play in the background, live on ESPN, as the show winners were announced. Congratulations again, Auburn University Marching Band, and War Damn Eagle!