LOS ANGELES -- The stage is now set for the seventh annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase scheduled to take place Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

10 Historically Black College and University marching bands have been chosen to participate in the 2009 Invitational Showcase through a combination of online voting by fans and a selection process involving HBCU band directors and university presidents.

Fine-tuning their instruments, practicing their drum major acrobatics and choreographing the dance team's routines all in preparation to "stomp at the Dome," the 2009 lineup includes:

Virginia State University and Fayetteville State University, representing the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA);

Florida A&M University and North Carolina A&T State University, representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC);

Tuskegee University and Kentucky State University, representing the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC); and

Jackson State University and Texas Southern University, representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC);

North Carolina Central University and Edward Waters College, both independents.

NOTE: For more information, log on to www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.