William P. Foster facts for kids

William Patrick Foster (born August 25, 1919 – died August 28, 2010) was a famous American band director. People often called him The Law or The Maestro. He led the amazing Florida A&M University Marching "100" band for many years, from 1946 until he retired in 1998.

Dr. Foster changed how college marching bands performed. He introduced new ideas that made their shows exciting and memorable. His work made him famous, and he was honored in many halls of fame, including the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. He even served on the National Council on the Arts, chosen by President Bill Clinton. Dr. Foster also wrote a book called The Man Behind the Baton.

Early Life and Learning

Dr. Foster started his music journey at age 12, learning to play the clarinet. When he was in high school in Kansas City, his talent was clear. He became the student director of the Sumner High School Orchestra. By 1936, he was directing an all-city band.

He studied music at several universities. He earned his first degree from the University of Kansas in 1941. Later, he got a Master's degree from Wayne State University in 1950. He then earned a Doctor of Education degree in music from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1955. Florida A&M University also gave him an honorary degree in 1998.

Leading the Marching "100"

The FAMU Band started way back in 1892. When Dr. Foster became the band director in 1946, the school was known as the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes. He brought over 30 new techniques to the band. Many of these ideas are now common for high school and college bands across the country.

Under Dr. Foster's leadership, the Marching "100" became very famous. They appeared in movies, commercials, and many magazines. They also performed on national TV shows.

• In 1989, the French government chose the Marching "100" to represent America. They marched in the Bastille Day Parade in France, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution.
• In 1996, the band was a main part of the opening ceremonies for the Walt Disney Indy 200.
• They were also featured at the 15th and 25th-anniversary TV specials for Walt Disney World in 1986 and 1996.
• The band performed in the Inaugural Parades for President Bill Clinton in 1993 and 1997.

New Ideas for Marching Bands

Dr. Foster's unique style for the FAMU marching band developed over time. He once said in his book, Band Pageantry, A Guide for the Marching Band, that their first dance routine just "came about."

Before Dr. Foster, many marching bands had a very strict, military-like style. They marched in blocks and focused on precision. Dr. Foster changed this with his high-energy shows. He introduced faster tempos, high-stepping, and dancing. This new, exciting style quickly became popular. By the 1960s, bands like Grambling, Southern, and Tennessee State, along with Florida A&M, were getting national attention for their amazing performances.

Dr. Foster's ideas helped marching bands become more popular. At the time, many people were listening to music on the radio or records instead of going to live concerts. He wanted to create a band that would be "better than any white band in the country." This goal pushed him to develop new and exciting ways to perform.

He is known for creating at least 30 new marching band techniques. These include:

• The double-time marching step: 240 steps per minute, or four steps every second.
• The triple-time marching step: 360 steps per minute.
• The death-slow cadence: 20 steps per minute, or one step every three seconds.
• Making sure all band members memorized their music for stands, parades, pre-game, and halftime shows.

Other Achievements and Honors

Dr. Foster wrote 18 articles for music journals and 4 published marching band shows. His textbook, Band Pageantry, is often called "The Bible" for marching bands. He also composed several marches, including Marche Brillante and National Honors March.

He received many awards, including the United States Achievement Academy Hall of Fame Award. In 1992, Sports Illustrated magazine called the Marching "100" the best marching band in the country. In 1998, Dr. Foster was named a Great Floridian by the Museum of Florida History. He also directed the famous McDonald's All-American High School Band from 1980 to 1992.

President Bill Clinton nominated Dr. Foster to be a member of the National Council on the Arts, and the United States Congress approved it. He was inducted into many halls of fame, including the Music Educators National Conference and the John Philip Sousa Foundation. In 1998, he was elected to the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, which is a very high honor for a band director.

Later Years and Passing

Dr. William P. Foster passed away on August 28, 2010, at the age of 91. He had been living in a nursing home in Tallahassee, Florida, and was admitted to the hospital shortly before his death. His funeral was held at Florida A&M University's Lee Hall on September 4, 2010.