2017, the band's 2012 halftime performance at the Magic City Classic garnered over three million views on YouTube. In 2019, the band performed in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year's Day. In 2023, Alabama State became the first HBCU to host the annual Honda Battle of the Bands. The band is traditionally led by four or five drum majors. The band performs at select football games, all SWAC basketball home games, and other special events. The featured auxiliary is "The Sensational Stingettes", a danceline that debuted in 1977. They were invited to appear in the "Give It 2 U" music video and live performance with artists Robin Thicke, Kendrick Lamar, and 2 Chainz. Also, they were shown in Beyonce's Netflix special "HΘMΣCΘMING: A film by Beyonce". The most recently added auxiliary is the Honey-Beez, a danceline composed of only plus-size young women that debuted in 2004. In 2017, they were selected to showcase their talents and compete on America's Got Talent. The Bama State Collegians The Bama State Collegians is a big band jazz orchestra sponsored by Alabama State University. In the 1930s, the ensemble was directed by noted jazz trumpeter Erskine Hawkins, an inductee of both the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. After moving to New York City, the Collegians, directed by Hawkins, became the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and produced a string of national hit records, including "Tuxedo Junction", "After Hours", "Tippin' In" and others. The song "Tuxedo Junction", with its recordings by Hawkins and by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, became one of the anthems of World War II. In 2011, Hawkins' story of and his start in the Bama State Collegians was the subject of a Florida State University Film School MFA thesis film, The Collegians, written and directed by Alabama State University alumnus Bryan Lewis. Student publications Students are served by two media publications, The Hornet Tribune (student newspaper) and The Hornet (the student yearbook). See also WVAS 90.7 FM Radio, Alabama State radio station Magic City Classic, One of the largest HBCU events and FCS football games in the nation Turkey Day Classic, One of the oldest HBCU football classics in the nation Notable alumni Notable faculty Further reading References External links Universities and colleges in Montgomery, Alabama Educational institutions established in 1867 Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools African-American