Metallica have announced their second annual marching band competition, following last year’s inaugural contest which saw nearly 500 schools participate. This year, the legendary metal band is raising the stakes, with roughly $200,000 in prizes and more chances to win.
Each category — College (Division 1), College (Divisions 2 & 3), High School (Large), High School (Medium) and High School (Small) — will now be awarded first, second and third place prizes, with the first place winners in each field selected by Metallica themselves. A fan-favorite vote will determine an additional winner.
Submissions are now open at this location, with each school having access to sheet music for 13 different Metallica songs. The winners, who will be announced in early 2025, will receive instruments and gear courtesy of Metallica and retailer Sweetwater.
Last year’s competition saw Auburn University as one of the big winners, as the school took first prize in both the College (Division 1) and Fan Favorite (College) categories. The university’s impressive Metallica-themed halftime show can be seen below.
Meanwhile, Metallica are in the midst of a European leg of their ongoing “M72 World Tour,” with the next North American run set for this summer (tickets available here).