December 11, 2026 · Atlanta, GA
One historic day. Two landmark stages.
The Inaugural Arresting the Arts Scholarship Fair immediately precedes the nationally recognized ESPN Events Red Lobster Band of the Year, creating one of the region's most significant opportunities for collegiate music recruitment.
The Scholarship Fair
Inaugural Arresting the Arts Scholarship Fair
- Friday, December 11, 2026
- 8:00 a.m.
- Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Important Timeline
Key dates & milestones
August 28, 2026
Deadline to accept or decline the invitation
October 9, 2026
University registration deadline to participate as a recruiter and receive student audition materials
November 6, 2026 · 5:00 p.m.
Student audition video submission deadline
Prior to Thanksgiving 2026
Registered universities receive all audition videos for scholarship review
Thursday, December 10, 2026
Collegiate Recruiter & Director Reception (location TBA)
Friday, December 11, 2026 · 8:00 a.m.
Inaugural Arresting the Arts Scholarship Competition and Fair at Georgia World Congress Center
Friday, December 11, 2026 · 7:00 p.m.
ESPN Events Red Lobster Band of the Year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Clinicians & Supporting Staff
Masterclasses across every section
Distinguished music professionals lead educational clinics and masterclasses throughout the day. Sections listed are subject to change.
Invited Colleges & Universities
Recruiting from coast to coast
Institutions invited to participate as recruiters, organized by conference. University registration to receive audition materials closes October 9, 2026.
CIAA
- Bowie State
- Elizabeth City State
- Fayetteville State
- Johnson C. Smith
- Lincoln
- Livingstone
- Shaw
- Virginia State
- Virginia Union
- Winston Salem State
SIAC
- Albany State
- Allen
- Benedict
- Central State
- Clark Atlanta
- Edward Waters
- Fort Valley
- Kentucky State
- Lane
- Lemoyne Owens
- Miles
- Morehouse
- Savannah State
- Tuskegee
- Talladega
- Florida Memorial
MEAC
- Delaware State
- Howard
- Morgan State
- Norfolk State
- North Carolina Central
- South Carolina State
SWAC
- Alabama A&M
- Alabama State
- Alcorn State
- Arkansas Pine Bluff
- Bethune Cookman
- Florida A&M
- Grambling State
- Jackson State
- Mississippi Valley State
- Prairie View A&M
- Southern
- Texas Southern
Independents
- Hampton
- North Carolina A&T
- Tennessee State