Article: Florida A&M University"Marching 100"
The FAMU Marching 100 during halftime at the Florida Classic.
SWAC
Marching band of Florida A&M University
The marching band at Florida A&M University is commonly and widely known as the "Marching 100" or simply "The 100." Since its inception, the band has been credited with 30 innovative techniques that have become standard operating procedures for many high school and collegiate marching band programs.
History
The first band at FAMU was organized in 1892, under Phillip Amos von Weller. In 1946, when William P. Foster was selected as director of bands, there were only 16 members. Since then, the band has grown to as many as over 400 members. The band has performed at the Super Bowl (on several occasions), the Summer Olympics, the inaugural parades for U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and was selected in 1989 as the official United States representative in the Bicentennial Celebration of the French Revolution in Paris, France.
The band has also been featured as the opening act for the Louis Vuitton's men's fashion show at the Louvre during the 2022 Paris Fashion Week.
Directors, assistant directors, and staff
Directors
Phillip Amos Von Weller, 1892–1897
Nathaniel Campbell Adderley, 1910
Herman A. Spearing, 1912
Arnold W. Lee, Sr., 1924–1928
Captain W. Carey Thomas, 1928–1932
Leander A. Kirksey, 1932–1945
William P. Foster, 1946–1998
Julian E. White, 1998–2012
Sylvester Young, 2013–2016
Shelby R. Chipman, 2016–present
Note: The official title of the band director was changed to director of marching and pep bands beginning in 2013.
Assistant directors and staff
Shaylor L. James, Percussion, Director of Percussion Ensemble
Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Chief Arranger and Chairman of the Department of Music
Nicholas B. Thomas, Woodwinds, Coordinator of Graduate and Undergraduate Music Teacher Education
Ralph Jean-Paul, Low Brasswinds, Director of Brass Ensemble
Robert U. Griffin, Trombones, Director of Jazz Bands
Longineau Parsons, Trumpets, Director of Trumpet Ensemble
Byron Smith, Compliance Officer
Joe Bullard, Announcer
Donald Beckwith, Equipment Manager
Melanie A. Parham, Office Manager
Band motto
The band motto was developed by William Patrick Foster at the beginning of his more than 50-year tenure as director of bands at FAMU. Their motto is as follows:
Highest Quality of CHARACTER
Achievement in ACADEMICS Attainment of LEADERSHIP Perfection in MUSICIANSHIP Precision in MARCHING Dedication to SERVICE Summer Band Camp
The Marching 100 Summer Band Camp has existed 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 and auxiliaries.
Hazing
List of hazing deaths in the United States
Evidence of hazing in the band made headlines after the death of a Marching 100 drum major in 2011. On November 19, 2011, Robert Champion, the 26-year-old drum major, was beaten to death on the bus after the annual Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Classic between Florida A&M University and Bethune Cookman University. Investigators found that hazing was involved in the incident. The Orange County Sheriff's Office ruled the death a homicide. An autopsy determined that he had "badly beaten muscles." Florida A&M canceled all of the band's remaining scheduled performances for the 2011–12 school year and launched an investigation.
In May 2012, two faculty members resigned in connection with the ensuing hazing investigation and 13 people were charged with felony or misdemeanor hazing crimes. Later that month, FAMU president James Ammons announced that the band would not return until 2013–14 at the earliest out of respect for Champion, as well as to give school officials time for a root-and-branch restructuring of the band. Earlier, it had been revealed that at least 101 band members were not enrolled at FAMU. Two months later, Ammons resigned. On August 28, 2012, Dante Martin, identified as the "president" of the band bus, was accused of felony hazing in Robert Champion's death. He pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with a separate hazing incident. After an unsuccessful mediation session between university attorneys and attorneys representing the family of Robert Champion, FAMU offered to pay $300,000 to the family during the first week of November 2012 as settlement. On March 4, 2013, prosecutors charged 12 former band members with manslaughter for the 2011 hazing death. On June 27, 2013, Florida A&M lifted the suspension of the band. School officials instituted new academic requirements for the band, as well as a zero-tolerance policy for hazing that applies to all campus organizations. On October 31, 2014, Dante Martin was found guilty of manslaughter and three counts of hazing and on January 9, 2015, he was sentenced to six years in prison.
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The Marching 100 is more than a marching band, more than an ensemble. We are role
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Marching 100
Dr. Shelby R. Chipman
Our Motto
“Highest Quality of CHARACTER”
“Achievement in ACADEMICS” “Attainment in LEADERSHIP” “Perfection in MUSICIANSHIP” “Precision in MARCHING” “Dedication to SERVICE” History
Find out what the Marching “100” has accomplished to earn titles such as "The Marchingest,
Playingest, Band in the Land,” “The Best Band in the Land” and "The Best College Marching
Band in the Country."
For more about FAMU's Marching "100" history and tradition, visit the
official FAMU Bands website
Ranking high among the many proud traditions of Florida A&M University is the highly
acclaimed Marching "100" Band. The first band at this institution, formerly named
A&M College, was organized in 1892 under the tutelage of P.A. Van Weller. From a meager
store of 16 instruments, the Marching "100" has grown to over 420 members.
This organization has been polished and refined to perfection for the past 104 years
under the guidance of its directors:
P.A. Van Weller, 1892-1898
Nathaniel C. Adderly, 1910-1918
Leander A. Kirksey, 1930-1945
Dr. William P. Foster, 1945-1998
Dr. Julian E. White, 1998-2012
Dr. Sylvester Young, 2013-2016
Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, 2016 - present
Band Staff Expand All Collapse All Band Staff
Dr. Shelby Chipman, Director of Bands
Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Arranger
Dr. Shaylor James, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion
Dr. Longineu Parsons, Director of Trumpets
Dr. Sylvester Young, Assistant Director of Bands
Dr. Nicholas Thomas, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Woodwinds
Mr. Robert Griffin, Director of Trombones
Mr. Darryl Baker, Assistant
Director of Bands
Mr. Ralph JeanPaul, Assistant
Director of Bands and Director of Lower Brass
Mr. Tovah Lovely, Assistant Director of Percussion
Mr. Donald Beckwith, Store Keeper and Equipment Manager
Dr. Deirdre McCroy, Compliance Officer
Back to top
Join the Marching 100 Alumni Band Association, Inc.
The Marching 100 Alumni Band Association was formed by Victor R. Gaines, former trumpet
player and Head Drum Major of the “Marching 100” band, in 2000, for the purposes of
supporting the academic needs and enhancing the FAMU Bands. We meet often in effort
to keep our members apprised of the activities and events of not only the alumni,
but of the FAMU Bands, as well. Our organization consists of individuals who marched
in the band, participated in the band’s programs, and those who just love the band
and want to support it through the Association.
Expand All Collapse All More Information
We’ve given away thousands of dollars in band camp scholarships (for high school musicians
who have a desire to attend the FAMU Summer Band Camp), academic scholarships, and
book vouchers through our website and other
initiatives.
We’ve recognized the “Foster 5” with scholarships:
♦ Dr. William P. Foster
– This is our highest scholarship available, and assists a current student with their
academics.
♦ Dr. Julian E. White
– Our highest band camp scholarship, recognizing a student for their attainment in
Leadership.
♦ Charles S. Bing
– This band camp scholarship recognizes a student for their excellence in Musicianship.
♦ Dr. Shaylor L. James
– Academic scholarship given to a percussionist who has demonstrated their technical
prowess in the percussion section, through the section or percussion ensemble.
♦ Lindsey B. Sarjeant
– Academic scholarship given to a student who has excelled in the Jazz Studies program.
We also have added a 6
th
scholarship in the name of retired secretary, Ms. Gloria C. Jones, for the student
who goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist the band wherever needed.
We recently awarded Tamara D. Fitzpatrick with a scholarship for having the highest
GPA in the band.
Rewarding our students for their dedication and academic excellence are key in building
a band and alumni organization.
Alumni Band Association activities include:
♦ Summer Band Camp
– Our first event for the fiscal year gives us an opportunity to assist and meet
with the band staff, officers, and student leaders of the “Marching 100.” During this
time, we have fun not only working with them, but taking out a little time to show
the campers that we’ve still got it, when we participate in the band camp parade and
“Bring It On!” at the Pasture during the camp!
♦ Annual Meeting
– Our first business meeting of the year provides our alumni with a look at all of
our planned activities. At this meeting, we also have our different committees report
on their activities, as well as give the attendees an opportunity to get the “State
of the FAMU Bands” address from our Director of Bands, Dr. Julian E. White.
♦ Football Classic Events
– When we go to the Atlanta Football Classic and Florida Classic, we have a host
of activities going on, which include hospitality suites and tailgating! This is the
perfect opportunity for our alumni to catch up with their former band members.
♦ Homecoming
– We march in the homecoming parade, play with the band in the stands, and participate
in both the pre-game and halftime shows! It is really a treat to see our alumni step
back onto Bragg Memorial Stadium again! After the game, we are usually hosting a hospitality
suite, or will find a place to wind down after a long day!
Since inception, we have reached thousands of alumni through our newsletter, emails,
and website www.marching100alumni.com .
Through our activities and various fundraisers, we have also brought together friends
who have not seen nor corresponded with each other in years!
We’ve sent high school students to our band camp who have gone on to be successful
not only at FAMU, but in their respective professional fields. We’ve supported our
current band members with academic scholarships and book vouchers. We’ve also recognized
academic excellence by awarding an academic scholarship to the student with the highest
GPA!
Wherever the band needs our assistance, we are there to help!
We know that we cannot exist without the “Marching 100” and FAMU Bands, and look forward
to supporting this great organization for years to come!
Victor R. Gaines
President & Chair, Board of Directors
Marching 100 Alumni Band Association, Inc.
www.marching100alumni.com Back to top Contact Us
Would you like us to perform for you? Or join the Marching “100”?
Kimberly Jackson Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL 30301 P: (850) 599-3024 F: N/A E: kimberly.jackson@famu.edu Apply Visit Give fab button Back to Top
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