The Red Lobster Band of the Year competition has named its committee leadership ahead of the 2026 championship, bringing prominent figures from several prominent HBCU bands to key roles.
ESPN Events announced Friday that Professor Dowell Taylor will return as a committee co-chair. Taylor is the director of bands emeritus at Jackson State University.
Dr. Kenneth Ruff, director of bands emeritus at North Carolina A&T State University, will join Taylor as co-chair. ESPN Events elevated Ruff after his previous service on the Band of the Year committee.
Florida A&M University will also have a respected former band director helping guide the competition. ESPN Events named Dr. Julian White, a Hall of Fame member and FAMU’s director of bands emeritus, as strategic advisor. White will provide counsel on the competition’s direction, evaluation standards and future development.
James Oliver, director of bands emeritus at Alabama State University, will lead the Metro Atlanta High School BOTY committee.
“Professor Dowell Taylor, Dr. Kenneth Ruff, Dr. Julian White and James Oliver are highly respected leaders who have made lasting contributions to music education and the marching-band community,” John Grant, executive director of Red Lobster Band of The Year, said in a statement.
Grant said Taylor’s return will provide continuity, while Ruff’s promotion reflects the judgment and commitment he demonstrated as a committee member. He also pointed to White’s strategic insight and Oliver’s work developing young musicians.
HBCU bands competing for national recognition
The full 2026 BOTY committee includes several other experienced music educators. Penn State’s Dr. Greg Drane and Dr. Chris Hoch of Ohio State will serve alongside Dr. Reginald McDonald, Tennessee State’s director of bands emeritus.
University of Illinois professor Dr. Linda Moorhouse and Alabama A&M director of bands emeritus Professor Carlton Wright are also members. Oliver will serve on the national committee in addition to leading the high school competition.
Committee members will evaluate HBCU marching bands throughout the football season. The major categories include musicality, marching and maneuvering, drill design, percussion, auxiliaries, drum majors and overall presentation.
The season-long competition gives participating programs national exposure while celebrating the role marching bands play within HBCU culture. Finalists from the Division I and Division II rankings will advance to the championship stage in Atlanta.
The 2026 Red Lobster Band of the Year National Championship will take place Friday, Dec. 11, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The event falls one day before the Cricket Celebration Bowl and forms part of the game’s championship weekend.
Metro Atlanta high school programs will also compete for a championship. That division gives younger musicians an opportunity to perform on a major stage while showcasing band programs from around the region.
Now entering its fourth year, the Red Lobster Band of the Year platform continues to expand its evaluation process and national reach. Taylor, Ruff, White and Oliver will help protect the competition’s credibility as participating bands pursue a championship and national recognition.