MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University (WIU) proudly announced that despite not finishing in a winning position for the popular Metallica Marching Band Competition, the WIU Marching Leathernecks did manage to secure a top-six finish in the Division I category for colleges.
Metallica invited bands of all levels across the nation to compete by showcasing their skills by crafting unique and impressive displays of their heavy metal classics and many marching bands from prominent universities and high schools answered the call, captivating audiences with their performances since September 2023.
The final results were announced on January 1st with Auburn University winning the overall top spot in the competition, securing $75,000 in prizing including musical equipment for their school program, furnished by Metallica and the competition’s sponsors.
The Top 5 performances as voted by the judges and fan votes:
- First Place:
- Auburn University – Division I ($75,000 in prizes)
- Second Place:
- Eastern New Mexico University – Division 2/3 ($40,000 in prizes)
- Third Place:
- Oakton HS (Vienna, VA) – High School (Small) ($15,000 in prizes)
- Boerne HS (Boerne, TX) – High School (Medium) ($15,000 in prizes)
- Malverne HS (Malverne, NY) – High School (Medium) ($15,000 in prizes)
- Dobyns-Bennett HS (Kingsport, TN) – High School (Large) ($15,000 in prizes)
- Fourth Place:
- Auburn University – Fan Favorite (Collegiate Across All Divisions) ($10,000 in prizes)
- Fifth Place:
- Dobyns-Bennett HS – Fan Favorite (High School) ($10,000 in prizes)
“The Marching Leathernecks are some of the best students on campus and it is great to see them be recognized for their hard work and the great things they regularly do,” WIU Associate Director of Bands Matt Thomas said.
For more information on WIU’s Marching Band, visit wiu.edu/bands. For more information on the Metallica competition, visit metallicamarchingband.com.
