Orlando, Fla. — The 2025 Battle of the Bands lit up the Kia Center as the Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats and the Florida A&M University Marching 100 delivered a powerful musical showdown that began Friday, Nov. 21 and was carried into Saturday’s halftime performance at the Florida Classic which attract more than 55,000 people.
The event also showcased eight dynamic high-school marching bands, each bringing their own spark to an already high-energy atmosphere. The high-school lineup—featuring Ocoee, Sunset, Heritage, Wilson, Fort Lauderdale, South Cobb, South Broward, and Wekiva high schools—set the stage early with precision marching, bold arrangements, and crowd-pleasing routines. Notably, the Sunset High School band came all the way from Dallas, Texas, driving hundreds of miles to perform before the crowd in Orlando — a testament to the band’s commitment and love for showmanship.But the main spotlight fell on the two historic rivals: the Wildcats and the Rattlers.
Friday Night: Energy, Execution, and Early Impressions
B-CU student Javarus Evans described Friday’s Battle as “great energy,” especially as the Wildcats honored longtime band director James Portier, who is retiring after 45 years. Evans praised the high-school performances—especially Ocoee High School—and said the bands really showed out.
But what some may say made Friday extra memorable was a moment of respect between the rival colleges: in honor of Portier’s decades of influence on HBCU band culture, FAMU’s band director asked Portier to conduct one of the Marching 100’s performances that evening. The gesture marked the profound impact Portier has had on the broader band community.
Also, B-CU’s band director Donovan Wells recognized Portier’s legacy by presenting him with a commemorative watch.
Still, Evans said he felt FAMU played better during Friday’s performance. “They had more energy coming out,” he said, noting that a small miscue in B-CU’s drum-major routine affected the Wildcats’ usual crispness.
Saturday: Redemption, Rivalry, and Formation Drama
By Saturday, the Wildcats were back in step. “Bethune came with high energy because they had to make up for Friday,” Evans said. Perhaps the most talked-about moment came when B-CU’s band moved in formation of a giant rat on the field– as a symbolic shot at their rivals.
FAMU’s band followed with a formation of a “dead kitty.” The formations drew roars, gasps, and reactions from both sides of the stadium.
“Nobody expected those formations,” Evans said. It’s crazy how hard it is to do that, but they pulled it off.”
Inside the Wildcats’ Performance: A Band Member’s View
Marching Wildcat bandmember August Kirkpatrick shared insights into the preparation, discipline, and pressure behind the performances.
“Friday’s (performance) means something, but it doesn’t at the same time.” Kirkpatrick said. “ It’s just a warmup before we show the world what we’ve been working on.”
He noted that the band had to overcome challenges to pull off the rat formation planned for Saturday. “Adapting was the hardest part,” Kirkpatrick said. “But the reaction we got made it worth it. As someone who was part of that formation, we executed it well.”
Kirkpatrick described stepping onto the field as “electric,” powered by the “sea of maroon and gold” and the roaring crowd. He credited the Wildcats’ success to discipline, trust, and teamwork.
“The whole band has to be on the same wavelength,” he said. “Dances get presented to Dr. Wells and then to us. If we’re not synced, it won’t work.”
He believes what separates B-CU from FAMU is authenticity: “FAMU tries new things, which is cool, but it doesn’t always sound good. We don’t try to be something we’re not.”
What the Bands Leave Behind
Evans, who has attended multiple Classics, said the bands remain the heart of the rivalry: “Everyone comes to the Classic for the bands,” he said.
