Yet again, Atlanta is proving itself as the go-to city for Black cultural traditions.
The Southern hotspot continues its reign as the host city of the top high school marching bands in the country. Westlake High School, located in the southwest part of Atlanta, currently ranks at No. 1 in the 2025 ESPN’s Red Lobster Band of the Year for its Metro Atlanta high school division.
According to HBCU Gameday, the ranking is based on criteria such as Musicality, Pictures/Drill & Design, Drum Majors, and Auxiliaries. These essential components of a competitive marching band and showcase typically begin in high school squads. Many members often transition to collegiate-level performance, mainly at HBCUs across the country…