The Metallica Marching Band Competition is back, with nearly 500 U.S. colleges and high schools expected to participate. Sign-ups are open from June 6 to September 23, with submissions due by November 25. The competition, presented by Metallica and Sweetwater, offers expanded awards for first, second, and third places in five categories: College (Division 1), College (Divisions 2 & 3), High School (Large), High School (Medium), and High School (Small). Winners will be selected by Metallica members and announced in early January 2025.
A Fan Favorite award, decided by popular vote from December 1 to December 31, will also return. Winners will receive instruments and gear for their school’s music programs from Metallica and Sweetwater, with sponsorship from TAMA and others. Free sheet music for 13 Metallica songs will be provided to all participants. For more information, go to this location.
In related news, Metallica has released professionally filmed videos of their performances of “Master Of Puppets” and “Of Wolf And Man” from their May 24 show in Munich, Germany.
