The University Classic

Jupiter High School, 2017 Classic Champion

From the late 1990s, University High School was one of the original host sites for the FMBC State Championships. The first University Classic was held in 2005, after the Championships moved from Orlando to Saint Petersburg, and has been held annually ever since. The University Classic is both an educational experience for bands seeking to improve, and a tested proving ground for champions performing at the highest levels.

Seven times, a band that has performed at the Classic has gone on to win their class at the FMBC State Championships: Cypress Creek in 2007 and 2010, Fleming Island in 2010, Braden River in 2012, Jupiter in 2017, Calvary Christian in 2018, and Timber Creek in 2022. Oviedo and Cypress Creek have each won the Classic four times. Timber Creek has been named grand champion three times, and Windermere has won twice. Pine Ridge High School has performed at the Classic ten times, more than any other school, followed by Cypress Creek and Oviedo, which have both performed nine times.

In 2019, major revisions were made to the show's format, including the addition of the "Classic Commentary" clinician, now one of the show's distinguishing features.