HBCU Marching Band Spotlight 2- Tuskegee University "Marching Crimson Pipers"

HBCU Marching Band Spotlight 2 | Tuskegee University’s “Marching Crimson Pipers” - The Tuskegee University “Marching Crimson Piper Band” was established in 1906, as the Tuskegee Institute Band. The band started as a well-organized band of 35 pieces and an 18-piece orchestra, lead by bandmaster Captain Elbert V. Williams. In 1931, the school of music 🎶 was established under the directorship of William L. Dawson. The band became a component of the newly formed department. In the 1940s, it became the Department of Music, still headed by Dawson. Captain Drye held the title of Head of Band Instruments, and Director of Bands. The band consisted of 75 pieces including drum majors, juvenile drum majors, majorettes, and herald trumpeters. Currently, the band is under directions of John Q. Lennard, a native of Tuskegee, AL and graduate of Florida A&M University. Some distinguished band alumni Mr. Lionel Richie (Music Icon), Mr. William L. Dawson (famed chorale Director & arranger), Mr. Ralph Ellison (writer). For more information, please visit www.tuskegee.edu.