The Marching 100 is the official name of the marching band

Marching band

Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...

 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

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History

The first band at FAMU was organized in 1892, under P.A. Van Weller. From an original 16 instruments, the "Marching 100" has grown to over 390 Members.

On November 19, 2011, Robert Champion, a 26-year-old drum major with Florida A&M University's marching band, became ill and died after an away game with investigators finding that hazing was involved in the incident. The Florida A&M University has stopped all band performances amid an investigation into the death, leaving many in doubt of the future of the band. Along with the suspension of the band, band director Dr. Julian E. White was fired with his last day as band director on December 22. He is planning to fight his firing and his attorney argued that there are no grounds for White being dismissed for "just cause."

Major accomplishments of the Florida A&M University Marching Band

• June 1, 1946 - William P. Foster became Director of Bands at Florida A&M University with 16 members, and created what is known today as "The Most Imitated Marching Band in America." He is credited with revolutionizing marching band techniques and reshaping the world's concept of the collegiate marching band. In some circles, his textbook Band Pageantry is considered to be "The Bible" for the marching band.
• 1947 - The Marching Band consisted of 75 members.
• 1948 - The Marching Band acquired uniforms.
• 1950 - The Marching Band consisted of 110 members and became widely known as "The Marching 100."
• March 17, 1950 - The Marching 100 became the first black band to appear in the Festival of States Parade.
• 1952 - The Marching 100 consisted of 132 members.
• 1953 - The Marching 100 incorporated a dance routine using the music of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in a half-time performance at the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami, Florida.
• April 1953 - The Marching 100 was featured in an article in The Courier Magazine.
• January 1956 - The Marching 100 was mentioned in an article by Ebony Magazine entitled "Orange Blossom Classic Is Top Negro Grid Bowl Game."
• December 1958 - The Miami Herald proclaimed the Marching Band as "The Marchingest, Playingest, Band in the Land."
• 1962 - With the help of dance instructor Beverly Hillsman - Barber, the Marching 100 learned a dance routine to the music of "Walk on the Wild Side." Dance routines became a regular part of the Marching Band's halftime shows.
• January 6, 1963 - The Marching 100 made its national television debut at the "Pro-Play Off Bowl" on CBS TV in the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, Florida.
• November 1963 - The Marching 100 appeared in an Ebony Magazine article entitled "The Best Band in the Land."
• December 1963 - The Marching 100 received its first international recognition when it performed for the Kiwanis International Cultural Exchange Program in Nassau, Bahamas.
• January 5, 1964 - The Marching 100 made its second nationally televised appearance at the Pro-Play Off Bowl.
• December 27, 1964 - The Marching 100 made its third nationally televised appearance for the NFL Championship Game in Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1966 - The Seven Up Company of St. Louis Missouri and the Sterling Drug Company of New York established an annual $1,500 scholarship in music in honor of Dr. William P. Foster.
• 1968 - Dr. William P. Foster authored Band Pageantry: A Guide for the Marching Band.
• January 21, 1968 - The Marching 100 made its fourth national television appearance at the AFL All Star Game on NBC television.
• August 1968 - The Marching 100 appeared in the Paramount News Film Half-Time USA.
• January 12, 1969 - The Marching 100 performed at Super Bowl III in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.
• January 19, 1969 - The Marching 100 performed at the AFL All Star Game in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida
• October 10, 1969 - The Fine Arts Center on Florida A&M University campus was named in honor of Dr. William P. Foster, and well-known African American Artist Henry O. Tanner.
• November 30, 1969 - The Marching 100 performed at half-time for the NFL Game between the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins.
• 1971 - Professor Julian E. White joined the Florida A&M University Music Department.
• March 1971 - The Flag Corps known as the "Dirty Dozen" were added to The Marching 100.
• 1971 - Elliott Seagraves became the first white student to march in the Marching 100.
• September 25, 1971 - The Marching 100 represented the University of Kansas Band during halftime at a Kansas vs Florida State game at Doak Campbell Stadium.
• 1971 - The Marching 100 recorded an album, FAMU Spirit.
• 1974 - Carmena Fennel, Carla Wilson, and Debra Hines became the first female Marching 100 Band members.
• 1975 - Joe Bullard joined the staff and became known as "The Voice of the Hundred."
• 1975 - The Marching 100 made its first national television commercial for Coca - Cola: "Look Up America, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing."
• October 1975 - The Marching 100 performed for the Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Redskins NFL Game.
• December 1975 - The Marching 100 performed at the Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills NFL Game.
• 1977 - A Joint Resolution from the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate was presented to Dr. William P. Foster.
• 1977 - The Marching 100 performed in a televised parade in Harlem, New York.
• 1977 - The Marching 100 performed in a nationally televised football Game for the New York Giants.
• 1978 - The Marching 100 performed at the first NCAA Division 1 - AA National Championship Game at the Pioneer Bowl in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Florida A&M University Football Team won the championship, and still to this day is the only HBCU Football team to ever accomplish that task.
• 1978 - The Marching 100 performed at the first "Battle of the Bands Showcase" in the New Orleans Super Dome.
• February 24, 1979 - The General Assembly of Washington, D. C., proclaimed February 24 as "FAMU Band Day."
• February 20, 1980 - The Marching 100 made its second national television commercial for Welch's Grape Juice.
• March 29, 1981 - The Marching 100 was and first and still is the only Marching Band to be featured on CBS "60 Minutes."
• 1983 - The Marching 100 appeared in a segment on the United States Information Agency TV Satellite File for World Wide coverage.
• 1983 - The Marching 100 made a commercial for Tallahassee's NBC television channel 40.
• 1983 - The Marching 100 made a commercial for WFSU television program 1800 Seconds.
• January 1983 - The Marching 100 performed at Super Bowl XVII in Tampa, Florida.
• August 1983 - The Marching 100 was featured in a documentary on ABC's 20/20 television show.
• November 1983 - The Marching 100 was featured in a P. M. Magazine documentary on CBS television.
• November 14, 1984 - Dr. Foster, and "The 100" appeared in an article in the Chronicle of Higher Learning.
• December 1984 - Ebony Magazine featured Dr. William P. Foster and The Marching 100 in an article entitled "William P. Foster: A Fabled Director and His Band."
• 1984 - The Marching 100 performed at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
• October 26, 1985 - The Marching 100 was presented the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy. The band became the fourth recipient and the first (still the only) historically black university band to receive the trophy. This award is the highest honor a collegiate marching band can receive. With the presentation "The 100" became the first southern band to receive the award.
• 1986 - The Marching 100 performed for the 15th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World on national television.
• February 4, 1986 - Dr. William P. Foster and the Marching 100 were honored on the floor of the 99th U'S. Congress for receiving the "Sudler Award."
• 1987 - Dr. William P. Foster and The Marching 100 appeared in a book, America Is My Neighborhood by Williard Scott of the NBC Today Show.
• 1989 - The Marching 100 became recognized around the world as "America's Band."
• 1989 - The Marching 100 appeared in an article in the Black Perspective in Music.
• 1989 - The University of North Carolina recognized the Marching 100 as "One of the top 10 Examples of Excellence Among Black Americans."
• March 12, 1989 - The Governor of Florida, and the Mayor of Tallahassee proclaimed that March 12 is "Dr. William P. Foster Day" in the state of Florida.
• June 27, 1989 - The Board of County Commissioners of Leon County Florida certified a document which states that from now on "the month of July will be known as the "Marching 100 Month" in the county.
• 1989 - Governor Bob Martinez issued a proclamation declaring July 18 as "The Florida A&M Marching 100 Day" in the state of Florida.
• July 1989 - A major news story about The Marching 100 was broadcast on the Voice of America, International Radio Statio of the United States Government.
• July 14, 1989 - The Marching 100 was selected to be the "Official United States Representative" at the Bicentennial Celebration of the French Revolution, better known as Bastille Day in Paris, France. This celebration was seen live world wide by millions. Front page articles about "The Band" appeared in newspapers such as the International Herald Tribune, and the New York Times.
• July 1989 - Lead story, New York Times, "A Birthday Gift to France: 500 American Feet in Paris." Referring to The Marching 100.
• July 18, 1989 - The 101st session of the United States House of Representatives honored Dr. William P. Foster and the Florida A&M University Marching Band on the floor of Congress for being the Official United States Representative in Paris, France for the French Revolution Bicentennial Celebration.
• 1989 - The House of Representatives of the State of Florida honored Dr. William P. Foster and The Florida A&M University Marching Band for being the only band in the United States selected for the honor of performing in the French Revolution Bicentennial.
• 1990 - The Marching 100 performed in Nassau, Bahamas, commonly referred to as the "Bahama Bunch".
• 1991 - The Tuba Section reaches 37 members; the largest in the country.
• 1992 - Sports Illustrated Magazine listed The Marching 100 as "The Best College Marching Band in the Country."
• 1993 - The Marching 100 represented the State of Florida in the Inaugural Parade of President Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C.
• 1993 - The Marching 100 performed for the debut of the Florida Marlins Baseball Team at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.
• 1993 - Dr. William P. Foster and The Marching 100 appeared in the book, Black College Football, 1892-1992: One Hundred Years of History, Education, and Pride by Michael Hurd.
• 1994 - ESPN2 produced a thirty minute documentary on the Marching 100 that aired in 1995.
• 1994 - The Marching 100's percussion section and four drum majors performed at the Kennedy Center Concert of the Americas for President Bill Clinton in Miami Florida.
• 1995 - The Marching 100 consisted of 329 musicians.
• 1995 - The Marching 100 performed for President Bill Clinton's visit to Tallahassee.
• 1995 - The Florida A&M University Music Department released the video "Drummers Jam" showcasing the drum section of the Marching 100.
• 1995 - The Florida A&M University Music Department released the video "America's Band."
• 1995 - The Florida General Assembly recognized Dr. William P. Foster for his 50 years of service and outstanding achievements to the State of Florida.
• 1996 - The Florida A&M University Music Department released the video The Hundred, Simply The Best.
• 1996 - The Florida A&M University Music Department released the video The FAMU Sound, a limited edition commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the "Legendary Band Master Dr. William P. Foster, and his World Famous FAMU Marching 100 Band."
• July 26, 1996 - Dr. William P. Foster and The Marching 100 were inducted into the Afro-American Hall of Fame for Fine Arts. The Marching 100 became the first student organization to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
• December 19, 1996 - The Marching 100 received its second invitation to participate in President Bill Clinton's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.
• 1996 - The Marching 100 participated in festivities marking the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
• 1996 - The Marching 100 performed for Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit to the campus.
• 1996 - The Marching 100 performed at the opening night ceremonies for the NBA's Orlando Magic.
• 1997 - The Marching 100 represented the State of Florida at the second Inaugural Parade of President Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C..
• 1997 - A New York Times Article: "50 Years as a Marching Band Guru." Referring to Dr. William P. Foster.
• 1997 - The Florida A&M University Marching Band appeared on a Florida Crossroads program entitled, "The Marching 100" which aired on Florida PBS TV.
• 1997 - The book, America's Band of Legend was published by the Florida A&M University Music Department.
• 1998 - Dr. William P. Foster retired after fifty-two years of service to the University, the State of Florida, the nation, and the world. As of August 9, 1998 he held the positions of Emeritus Professor, Chairman of the Music Department, Emeritus and Director of Bands, Emeritus. His legacy, influence, and presence were still felt as The Marching 100 continued to break ground and receive national attention and awards under the direction of Dr. Julian E. White, a former student of Dr. Foster.
• 1998 Dr. Julian White, former student band member / Drum Major takes over as Director of Bands.
• 1998 Dr. Shelby Chipman joined the staff as Assistant to the Director of Bands
• 1998 - Ms. Dennine White joined the staff as Director of Flutes and Piccolos
• 1999 - The Florida A&M University Music Department releases the video entitled The Revoulution which captures the "passing of the baton" from Dr. William P. Foster to Dr. Julian E. White.
• 1999 - The Marching 100 Alumni Association was reorganized by former band member / Drum Major Victor Gaines.
• 2000 - The Marching 100 recorded its first CD.
• 2001 - Harold Byrd, Executive Director of the William P. Foster Foundation, published the book The Man Behind The Baton, which is a 230 page biography of Dr. Foster's life.
• January 2003 - The Marching 100 was selected as the first band to represent the MEAC at Inaugural Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.
• 2003 - Former band student / Head Drum Major, Diron Holloway joined the staff as Director of Saxophones.
• October 2003 - ESPN's Kieran Darcy states, "The Marching 100 is the Best Band in the Land."
• 2004 - Director of Bands Dr. Julian E. White was a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Outstanding Achiever Award which was presented by the Fed Ex Orange Bowl Committee.
• January 2004 - The Marching 100 was selected as one of the top 10 bands to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.
• February 2004- Performed a halftime show for the NBA Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Texas.
• 2004- John Robinson joined the staff as Director of Clarinets and Double Reeds.
• January 2005 - The Marching 100 was selected as one of the top 10 bands to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.
• February 2005 - The Marching 100 performed at Super Bowl XXXIX.
• January 2006 - The Marching 100 was selected as one of the top 10 bands to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.
• 2006 - The Marching 100 and Dr. William P. Foster were honored on their 60th Anniversary by Victor Gaines the Florida A&M University Alumni Band Association.
• February 2006 - 20 Members of the Marching 100 performed at the Grammy Awards with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx in Los Angeles. The show was broadcasted nationally on CBS TV.
• 2006 - The Atlanta Constitution named The Marching 100 "The Best Band."
• 2006 - Members of The Marching 100 performed at The American Music Awards.
• February 4, 2007 - The Marching 100 Performed at Super Bowl XLI with recording artist "Prince" in Miami.
• January 2, 2007- The Marching 100 performs for the 44th Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, at his Inaugural Parade.
• March 2007 - The Marching 100 performed for Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama, in Tampa, Florida.
• 2007 - Anthony Simons joins the staff as Director of Lower Brasses.
• August 2007 - The Marching 100 performed for Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama, in Tallahassee, Florida.
• November 2007 - The Marching 100 appeared on a Florida Crossroads program entitled, "Making The Band: The FAMU Marching 100" which aired on Florida PBS TV.
• July 2008 - The Marching 100 was featured in the New York Times for its band camps.
• August 2008 - Marching 100 reaches 420 members.
• 2008 - The Tuba Section reaches fifty members; the largest in the country.
• November 15, 2008 - The Marching 100 was featured on ESPN's College Game Day on the campus of FAMU.
• November 27, 2008 - The Marching 100 was featured on CBS News with Katie Couric.
• December 2008 - The Marching 100 was featured in Sports Illustrated for Kids.
• January 20, 2009 - The Marching 100 represented the State of Florida in the Inaugural Parade for the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.
• January 24, 2009 - The Marching 100 makes another appearance at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.
• July 1, 2009 - Former Marching 100 Band Member Curtis Inabinett, Jr., submitted a 93 page package nominating Dr. William P. Foster for a Kennedy Center Honors Award. The package included letters from US Senators, Members of Congress, Major University Presidents and the National Football League.
• December 2009 - Because of the Kennedy Center submission by Curtis Inabinett, Jr., Dr. Foster was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award from The College Band Directors National Association. Dr. Foster joins three Pulitzer Prize winners and the person who established the Woodwind movement in America in the 1950s as the only persons to ever receive the award. Dr. Foster is the only African American Band Master to ever serve as President of the organization and the only African American Band Master to receive its Life Time Achievement Award.
• January 30, 2010 - The Marching 100 makes another appearance at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.
• February 7, 2010 - The Marching 100 performed the pre-game show at Super Bowl XLIV.
• July 17, 2010 - Select Members of the Marching 100 Performed at The Espy Post show afterparty in Los Angeles, Cali.
• August 28, 2010 - Dr. William Patrick Foster, "The Law" died at the age of 91.
• September 3, 2010 - At Dr. Foster's Wake, former Marching 100 Band Member Curtis Inabinett, Jr., presented the College Band Directors National Association Life Time Achievement Award to his family on behalf of Dr. Thomas Duffy, Director of Bands of Yale University, who is also the President of the organization. Inabinett also presented a plaque on behalf of Mildred Bond - Roxborough of the National NAACP Spingarn Awards Committee.

Directors

The directors of this band have been:

• P.A. Van Weller, 1892–1898
• Nathaniel C. Adderly, 1910–1918
• Leander A. Kirksey, 1930–1946
• Dr. William P. Foster, 1946–1998
• Dr. Julian E. White, 1998–2011

Dr. William Patrick Foster

Dr. Foster was a fellow of the Rosenwald General Education Board at Teacher's College, Columbia University, 1953-1955 for Doctorate Studies. He received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Kansas in 1941, the Master of Arts in Music Degree from Wayne State University in 1950, a Doctor of Education Degree with a major in music from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1955, and the Honorary Doctor of Human Letters Degree in 1998 from Florida A&M University.

Dr. Foster was the creator of the World Famous Florida A&M University Marching "100" Band which has appeared in three films, three commercials, numerous magazine and newspaper articles, 60 Minutes, 20/20 and PM Magazine. The band has been telecasted and seen on thirty-four nationally televised performances on all networks with a viewing audience of over five billion people.

In 1989 the French chose Dr. Foster and his Marching "100" Band as America's official representative in the Bastille Day Parade, celebrating the Bicentennial of the French Revolution. On January 27, 1996 the band was the center-piece of the opening ceremonies of the Walt Disney Indy 200. The band was also the featured attraction at the Fifteenth and Twenty-fifth Anniversary National Telecast of Walt Disney World in 1986 and 1996. In January 1993 and 1997, the band appeared in the inaugural parade of President Bill Clinton.

Dr. Foster is credited with revolutionizing marching band techniques and reshaping the world's concept of the collegiate marching bands. He is credited with being the driving force behind the nation's most innovative college band; He is the former director of the McDonald's All-American High School Band (1980–1992).

Dr. Foster wrote 18 articles for professional journals, four published marching band shows, and the textbook, Band Pageantry, considered "The Bible" for the marching bands. He was the composer of "Marche Brillante", "National Honors March", "March Continental", and "Centennial Celebration".

Dr. Foster was the first recipient of the United States Achievement Academy Hall of Fame Award and the Outstanding Educator Award, presented by the School of Education Society of the University of Kansas Alumni Association. In 1998 he was inducted as a Great Floridian by the Museum of Florida History.

President Bill Clinton nominated and the United States Congress approved Foster as a member of the National Council on the Arts. He was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Incorporated, as well as of the Hall of Fame of the following organizations: Music Educators National Conference; the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida A&M University Sports, the National High School Band Directors, and the Afro-American Hall of Fame.

He was a Board member with G. Leblanc Corporation, John Philip Sousa Foundation, International Music Festival, Inc., and the Marching Musician. On December 17, 1998 the Board of Electors in Chicago, Illinois elected Foster to the National Band Association Hall of Fame for Distinguished Band Conductors. This is the most prestigious honor a bandmaster can receive.

In December 2009, Dr. Foster was awarded the College Band Directors National Association Life Time Achievement Award. He became one of five in the entire history of the organization to ever receive the award. In doing so he joined three Pulitzer Prize winners and the person who established the woodwind movement in the 1950s in America.

Dr. Foster died August 28, 2010 at the age of 91.

Dr. Julian E. White

Dr. Julian E. White, distinguished professor of Music, graduated from Florida A&M University earning a bachelor degree in Music Education. He later received a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois and a Doctorate from Florida State University. Dr. White is presently Chairman of the Department of Music and Director of Bands at Florida A&M University.

For a period of ten years, he served as drill designer for the McDonald's All-American High School Band with appearances at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California and the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. His drills have been featured in performance on all major television networks, and the Bastille Day Ceremony in Paris, France.

Prior to joining the Florida A&M University Faculty in 1971, Dr. White served as band director at Northwestern Junior/Senior High School from 1963–1965 and was the first Director of the William Marion Raines High School Band in 1965, both of Jacksonville, Florida. His bands were consistent recipients of superior ratings in Marching and Concert Festivals.

Presently Dr. White assists with halftime shows for Bowl Games of America and is on the adjudication staff for Music Festivals USA, International Music Festivals and Heritage Music Festivals, in addition to writing drill shows for high school and college bands.

Dr. White maintains an active schedule as an adjudicator and clinician. He has also served as guest conductor at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. He is very active as a conductor and clinician for middle and high school bands, summer band camps, and district, state, national and international music conferences and workshops.

Dr. White was the recipient of two University Teacher of the Year Awards and the Teacher of the Year Award from the Army ROTC. He received the NAACP Achievement Award, and was the recipient of the University Superior Accomplishment Award. He also received the Distinguished Professor/Advanced Teacher of the Year Award and was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership. Dr. White was honored with the most prestigious award given by the Florida A&M University Alumni Association, The Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. White was the 2004 recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Outstanding Achiever Award sponsored by the Fed Ex Orange Bowl Committee.

His professional memberships include the American Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Florida Music Educators Association (Executive Board), Florida Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternity for college and university band members. It was founded on November 27, 1919 at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. William Scroggs, now regarded as the "Founder," together with "Mr. Kappa Kappa Psi" A...

 Band Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa

Phi Delta Kappa

Phi Delta Kappa is an US professional organization for educators. Its headquarters are located in Bloomington, Indiana. It was founded on 24 January 1906. Phi Delta Kappa also had a youth organization, called Xinos, girls, and Kudos, guys.-Membership:Currently, membership consists of students,...

 Education Society, Pi Kappa Lambda

Pi Kappa Lambda

Pi Kappa Lambda is an American honor society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors of music. There are currently 205 active chapters and approximately 64,500 individual members....

 Music Society, Pi Phi Boule (Sire Archon), Board Member of the John Philip Sousa Sudler Award Committee, Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...

 Service Fraternity, and Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin...

 Social Fraternity, Freemason-P.H.A. Dr. White serves as Chairman of the Florida Music Educators Association Black Caucus.

In late November 2011, White was fired after Robert Champion died because of hazing. White stated that he'd warned university leaders over two decades about hazing and that he'd suspended 26 band members for hazing two weeks before Champion's death.

White told WTSP

WTSP

WTSP is a CBS-affiliated television station in St. Petersburg, Florida . It broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 10....

that he felt like he was the only one taking the situation seriously, even after informing FAMU President James Ammons. White also reported that he required hazing workshops at the beginning of every year and that he spelled out the consequences, that he suspended students for hazing-related activities and patrolled the campus when he suspected hazing. "I coined the phrase 'zero tolerance for hazing' in the Florida A&M band."

Band staff

• Dr. Julian E. White (Fall '59) - Director of Bands
• Dr. William P. Foster - Emeritus Director of Bands
• Dr. Shelby R. Chipman (Fall '82) - Associate Director of Bands
• Dr. Shaylor L. James (Fall '58) - Assistant Director Of Bands, Director Of Percussion
• Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant (Fall '70) - Assistant Director Of Bands, Arranger
• Mrs. Dennine White - Director of Piccolos
• Mr. Diron Holloway - (Fall '92) Director of Saxophones
• Mr. Anthony E.Simons III (Fall '93) - Director of Lower Brass
• Mr. Robert U. Griffin- (Fall '74) - Director of Trombones
• Mr. Donald Beckwith (Fall '75) - Senior Storekeeper
• Ms. Kimberly Taylor - Band Secretary
• Mr. Joe Bullard - Announcer

Band motto

The band motto was created by Dr. William Patrick Foster in the beginning of his 50+ year tenure as Director of Bands at FAMU.

Qualities to live by to guide our thoughts and to rule our actions/lives:

• Highest Quality of CHARACTER
• Achievement in ACADEMICS
• Attainment in LEADERSHIP
• Perfection in MUSICIANSHIP
• Precision in MARCHING
• Dedication to SERVICE

The Florida A&M University Bands: A Role Model of Excellence.

Summer Band Camp

The Marching 100 Summer Band Camp has been in existence since 1990, when it had fewer than 100 members. The majority of those in attendance were from Burke HS (Charleston, South Carolina), and William M. Raines HS (Jacksonville, Florida). Apart from the Marching Band there are three symphonic bands (Honor, Orange, and Green), two jazz bands, a percussion ensemble, keyboard and electronic music, and an ensemble for every instrument. The camp also includes drum majors, flags, majorettes, and dancing girls. The camp students are taught by "Marching 100" members, and perform at their symphonic concert, ensemble concert, parade, and the final marching exhibition of Bragg Memorial Stadium.

External links

• Marching 100
• http://www.famu.edu/bandcamp