William P. Foster

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Dr. William Patrick Foster (b. August 25, 1919 in Kansas City, Kansas), also known as The Law and The Maestro, is the creator of the noted Florida A&M University Marching "100". He served as the band's director from 1946^[1] to his retirement in 1998. His innovations revolutionized marching band technique and the perceptions of the collegiate band. Dr. Foster has been inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, the National Association for Distinguished Band Conductors Hall of Fame, the Florida Music Educators Association Hall of Fame and the Afro-American Hall of Fame amongst others. He has also served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association and was appointed to the National Council on the Arts by President Bill Clinton. Dr. Foster is the author of the book The Man Behind the Baton.^[2]

1 Education
2 The Marching "100"
3 Other achievements
4 References

[edit] Education

Dr. Foster began his music career by learing to play the clarinet at age 12. While in high school his talent was recognized and he was appointed student director of the Sumner High School Orchestra in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1936, he became the director of an all city band. 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, and 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.^[3]

[edit] The Marching "100"

The original FAMU Band was organized in 1892 under the leadership of P.A. Van Weller. At this time the school was still known as the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students. When Dr. Foster became the director of bands in 1946, the school was known as the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes.^[4] Dr. Foster brought over 30 new techniques to the band that have now become standard operating procedure for high school and college bands nationwide.^[1]^[2]

Under his direction, the Marching "100" has appeared in films, commercials, numerous magazine and newspaper articles, nationally televised performances. In 1989 the French chose Dr. Foster and his band as America's official representative in the Bastille Day Parade, celebrating the bicentennial of the French Revolution. On January 27, 1996, the Marching "100" 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.^[2]

[edit] Other achievements

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Dr. Foster has written 18 articles for professional journals, 4 published marching band shows, and the textbook, Band Pageantry, considered "The Bible" for the marching band. He is the composer of Marche Brillante, National Honors March, March Continental, and Centennial Celebration.

Dr. Foster is 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 1992, Sports Illustrated declared the 100 as the best marching band in the country. In 1998 he was inducted as a Great Floridian by the Museum of Florida History. He is also the former director of the prestigious McDonald's All-American High School Band (1980–1992).

President Bill Clinton nominated and the United States Congress approved Dr. Foster as a member of the National Council on the Arts. Dr. Foster is a member 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 is 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 Dr. William P. Foster to the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors. This is the most prestigious honor a bandmaster can receive.