Author Curtis Inabinett, Jr., dedicated himself for a seven-year period and delivers the undeniable story of the Legendary Florida A & M University Marching Band. Inabinett’s extraordinary biographical display of words, vividly paints an illustrative mind’s eye view of the famous band from 1946 to 2015, leaving no stones unturned in his quest to deliver the truth. Released on November 10, 2016, this 296-page 8 by 10 full color book is filled with facts that will instill in readers why ‘The Hundred’ has survived as one of the top marching bands in America. Inabinett tells the story of Dr. William P. Foster, the band’s creator, and how he overcame racism while an undergraduate music major student at the University of Kansas in the early 1940’s. This heartfelt message reveals the power of god and perseverance, and is a must read for all lovers of marching bands, but not only that, Inabinett explores the down side of hazing in marching bands, and how ‘The Hundred’ came back to prominence after a self-imposed suspension in 2012 for a hazing death within its famed band. Inabinett, who has never formally studied journalism, was awarded the first annual ‘2015 – 2016 Alyce Hunley Whayne Award’ for his book manuscript of ‘The Hundred,’ and spent one week in December of 2015 at the University of Kansas’ Kenneth Spencer Research Library completing research for this book.

After terminating my tenure and positions as Trumpet Teacher, Associate Director of Bands and Chairman of Instrumental Music at Florida A&M University in 1980, I was bombarded with questions and often criticized on the wisdom of abandoning the pathway I had earned as heir apparent to the position of Director of Bands. Rumors were also whispered that I was fired for involvement in questionable and unprofessional faculty-student relationships. I deliberately hesitated to answer such questions, first, because they could possibly be interpreted as my being critical of the people and the program that made it possible for me to develop whatever God given talents I possessed. Second, I chose to quietly accept said criticisms and dismiss the rumors to avoid giving them credibility by commenting on them one way or the other. However, I have always felt an obligation to provide the truth to the friends, colleagues, and fans that assisted in the realization of my professional pursuits at FAMU. These questions and inquiries gradually subsided after my appointment as Chairman of Fine Arts at the University of North Florida four years later. Thirty one years later, the disturbing news from Orlando, Florida, announcing the death of Robert Champion, a FAMU Drum Major, renewed the urgency for me to address long standing and new questions on various aspects about FAMU’s band. The untimely death of Champion resulted, allegedly, from a brutal “ritual of acceptance” hazing, on the occasion of the 2011 Orange Blossom Classic football game between the Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman Universities. Regrettably many supporters, fans and former band members, including myself, had long feared such an occurrence would happen sooner or later. I was similarly harassed as a freshman during the 1958 band season following the Orange Blossom Classic held in Miami. In spite of my negative treatment, I went on to become Band President and, after graduating, Associate Director of this esteemed organization. Therefore, I feel intimately familiar with the band and its history, including the unsanctioned tradition of hazing, and feel competent to voice my opinions on the question of hazing and on the current and future status of the FAMU band program. Following the death of Mr. Champion, I again began receiving renewed calls, visits, and e-mails, inquiring of my thinking and position on the situation at hand. After Dr. Julian White, Director of Bands, was unceremoniously terminated, over 150 former students encouraged me to seek the position of Director. Obviously, those encouraging me to do so, did not factor in my advancing age or health status. Nonetheless, these renewed questions awakened the need and obligation for me to speak out and weigh- in on long standing issues about the band and my reasons for abandoning it. Accordingly, the crisis of Mr. Champion’s death has created a renewed sense of urgency for me to finally speak out and describe how such issues led to my departure from the FAMU Marching Band. It is hoped that this booklet will provide truthful answers to long standing questions and serve to explore a plethora of traditions and misconceptions about the band. This writing is a recollection of my personal journey as a student participant and eventual Associate Director of this Band. The reader is therefore afforded to share the author’s perspective, insight and self-discovery during this time frame. It is hoped that this booklet will positively assist in a similar “societal-discovery” and serve as a deterrent to hazing, violence and other punitive actions that have all but become standard codes of conduct on many college and university campuses. Lenard C. Bowie, DMA Former Associate Director of Bands Florida A&M University

After terminating my tenure and positions as Trumpet Teacher, Associate Director of Bands and Chairman of Instrumental Music at Florida A&M University in 1980, I was bombarded with questions and often criticized on the wisdom of abandoning the pathway I had earned as heir apparent to the position of Director of Bands. Rumors were also whispered that I was fired for involvement in questionable and unprofessional faculty-student relationships. I deliberately hesitated to answer such questions, first, because they could possibly be interpreted as my being critical of the people and the program that made it possible for me to develop whatever God given talents I possessed. Second, I chose to quietly accept said criticisms and dismiss the rumors to avoid giving them credibility by commenting on them one way or the other. However, I have always felt an obligation to provide the truth to the friends, colleagues, and fans that assisted in the realization of my professional pursuits at FAMU. These questions and inquiries gradually subsided after my appointment as Chairman of Fine Arts at the University of North Florida four years later. Thirty one years later, the disturbing news from Orlando, Florida, announcing the death of Robert Champion, a FAMU Drum Major, renewed the urgency for me to address long standing and new questions on various aspects about FAMU's band. The untimely death of Champion resulted, allegedly, from a brutal "ritual of acceptance" hazing, on the occasion of the 2011 Orange Blossom Classic football game between the Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman Universities. Regrettably many supporters, fans and former band members, including myself, had long feared such an occurrence would happen sooner or later. I was similarly harassed as a freshman during the 1958 band season following the Orange Blossom Classic held in Miami. In spite of my negative treatment, I went on to become Band President and, after graduating, Associate Director of this esteemed organization. Therefore, I feel intimately familiar with the band and its history, including the unsanctioned tradition of hazing, and feel competent to voice my opinions on the question of hazing and on the current and future status of the FAMU band program. Following the death of Mr. Champion, I again began receiving renewed calls, visits, and e-mails, inquiring of my thinking and position on the situation at hand. After Dr. Julian White, Director of Bands, was unceremoniously terminated, over 150 former students encouraged me to seek the position of Director. Obviously, those encouraging me to do so, did not factor in my advancing age or health status. Nonetheless, these renewed questions awakened the need and obligation for me to speak out and weigh- in on long standing issues about the band and my reasons for abandoning it. Accordingly, the crisis of Mr. Champion's death has created a renewed sense of urgency for me to finally speak out and describe how such issues led to my departure from the FAMU Marching Band. It is hoped that this booklet will provide truthful answers to long standing questions and serve to explore a plethora of traditions and misconceptions about the band. This writing is a recollection of my personal journey as a student participant and eventual Associate Director of this Band. The reader is therefore afforded to share the author's perspective, insight and self-discovery during this time frame. It is hoped that this booklet will positively assist in a similar "societal-discovery" and serve as a deterrent to hazing, violence and other punitive actions that have all but become standard codes of conduct on many college and university campuses. Lenard C. Bowie, DMA Former Associate Director of Bands Florida A&M University

Bands on The Hill: A Pictorial History of Bands at Florida A&M University is a pictorial history of the band and instrumental music programs at Florida A&M University. Through rare and exclusive photographs, this edition features some of the early history, events, places, directors, and student musicians of the band and instrumental music programs at Florida A&M University. Under the direction and leadership of Phillip Amos von Weller, Nathaniel C. Adderley, Herman A. Spearing, Arnold W. Lee, Sr., Captain William Carey Thomas, Leander A. Kirksey, Jr., J. Richmond Johnson, William P. Foster, Julian E. White, Sylvester Young, and Shelby R. Chipman, the band and instrumental programs, since 1892, have exhibited the highest standards of musical excellence at numerous state, national, and international events to be widely regarded as one of the best among American colleges and universities.

America¿s Band of Legend: The Legacy Continues is a revised and updated pictorial history of the Florida A&M University band program. Through rare and exclusive photographs, this edition features some of the early history, events, places, directors, and musicians of the Florida A&M University band program. Under the directorship and leadership of P. A. von Weller, Nathaniel C. Adderley, Herman Spearing, Arnold W. Lee, Captain Carey W. Thomas, Leander A. Kirksey, J. Richmond Johnson, William P. Foster, and Julian E. White, the band program has exhibited the highest standards of musical excellence at numerous national and international events to become widely known as ¿America¿s Band of Legend.¿

A CONDUCTOR'S LEGACY Dr. William Patrick Foster: a man who overcame adversity, a man who worked exceptionally hard, a man who created a legacy. Dr. Foster's ties to Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the world he lived in are forever present because of his commitment to excellence in making the world-renowned FAMU Marching "100" Band a sound to remember. The Man Behind The Baton provides an in-depth look at the life and times of The Maestro, the Law, and the Legend.(TM)

The Encyclopedia of African American Education covers educational institutions at every level, from preschool through graduate and professional training, with special attention to historically black and predominantly black colleges and universities. Other entries cover individuals, organizations, associations, and publications that have had a significant impact on African American education. The Encyclopedia also presents information on public policy affecting the education of African Americans, including both court decisions and legislation. It includes a discussion of curriculum, concepts, theories, and alternative models of education, and addresses the topics of gender and sexual orientation, religion, and the media. The Encyclopedia also includes a Reader's Guide, provided to help readers find entries on related topics. It classifies entries in sixteen categories: " Alternative Educational Models " Associations and Organizations " Biographies " Collegiate Education " Curriculum " Economics " Gender " Graduate and Professional Education " Historically Black Colleges and Universities " Legal Cases " Pre-Collegiate Education " Psychology and Human Development " Public Policy " Publications " Religious Institutions " Segregation/Desegregation. Some entries appear in more than one category. This two-volume reference work will be an invaluable resource not only for educators and students but for all readers who seek an understanding of African American education both historically and in the 21st century.