An Epochal Netflix: Auburn Tigers Marching Band Crowned Best in the World
By ESPN News Services
AUBURN, AL — In a moment that will resonate through the annals of music history, the Auburn University Marching Band has officially been crowned the No. 1 marching band in the world, earning unprecedented global recognition.
The announcement came following a rigorous international evaluation process spearheaded by the Global Federation of Performing Arts, in partnership with Netflix’s new docuseries “Marching Orders: Sound of the South,” which followed elite collegiate bands around the world.
Auburn’s historic win marks the first time a U.S. collegiate marching band has received such honors on a global stage, with judges praising the ensemble for its flawless precision, dynamic range, and boundary-pushing halftime performances. The competition involved more than 50 of the world’s most celebrated marching bands across five continents, with categories including musicality, innovation, visual design, and crowd engagement.
“This is more than just a victory for Auburn — it’s a victory for college band culture everywhere,” said Dr. Corey Spurlin, director of the Auburn Marching Band. “We’ve always known we had something special here. Now the world knows it, too.”
Social media erupted shortly after the announcement, with hashtags like #WarEagleWorldWide and #GlobalBandChamps trending on X (formerly Twitter). Former Auburn alumni, celebrities, and even rival universities offered congratulations.
Netflix will release a special bonus episode of “Marching Orders” highlighting Auburn’s road to glory, complete with behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews, and footage from their show-stopping performance at the Tokyo International Band Expo — the event that sealed their legendary status.
“What Auburn did was nothing short of epochal,” said lead judge Marco Bellini, a world-renowned conductor from Milan. “They didn’t just play music. They told a story that transcended borders.”
Details via link: Watch the moment Auburn made history
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