DR. WILLIAM D. REVELLI: Dir. Of Bands – Emeritus, University of Michigan
Dr. Revelli was my role model. I revered him as a musician, coordinator, lecturer, writer, and speaker. Dr. Revelli was the founder of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the organization of which I served as National President from 1983 to 1985. Dr. Revelli nominated me as President of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) at its national meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, in March 1994. I was elected President of the ABA for the 1994 – 1995 term. Dr. Revelli credited me as President of CBDNA from 1983 – 1985 with bringing about a renaissance of the organization and administering the best convention in its history in Atlanta, Georgia. He presented me to the membership of ABA at the opening sessions of the 1966 convention at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
HENRY FILLMORE: Bandmaster and Composer of many popular marches for band
Mr. Fillmore and the “100” made history at the 1952 Orange Blossom Classic football game in the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, Florida, before an audience of 40,000 spectators. There were 20,000 Whites on one side of the stadium and 20,000 Blacks on the opposite side of the stadium. Midway through the second quarter of the football game, the announcement came over the public address system that Henry Fillmore would conduct the FAMU Marching Band from the stadium stands in one of his famous marches entitled “Americans We.” The officials stopped the football game. Mr. Fillmore conducted the band. The spectators gave Henry Fillmore a standing ovation and thunderous applause. The officials then resumed the football game.
Excerpt of Chapter: “Contributors To The Legacy” from “The Man Behind The Baton” By Dr. William P. Foster
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Dr. William P Foster is founder and creator of the world renowned Florida A&M University Marching 100. He has been credited for the creation of the very first band dance routine, many marching techniques, drill patterns, and band pageants (Themed shows). All of these, and many more of his creations, are still utilized by college bands across the country today.
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