William Patrick Foster (1919-2010) was the director of Florida Aandamp;M University’s "Marching 100" and was highly influential as a bandmaster, composer, and author. His book, Band Pageantry, a Guide for Marching Band, introduced new marching styles to the band scene, breaking away from the militarized marching formations, which was the norm in past bands. Foster was appointed to the American Council on the Arts by President Bill Clinton and 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 among others. He also served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association.
This collection contains research, articles, awards, and programs related to Dr. William P. Foster.
Biography
William Patrick Foster (1919-2010) was the director of Florida Aandamp;M University's "Marching 100" and was highly influential as a bandmaster, composer, and author. Foster began his music studies at the age of 12 at the Clarinet. He received a Bachelors of Music Education Degree from The University of Kansas, a Masters of Arts in music from Wayne State University, and was a fellow on the Rosenwald General Education Board at Teachers College, Columbia University. He received an honorary Doctor of of Humane Letters degree from Florida AandM.
His book, Band Pageantry, a Guide for Marching Band, introduced new marching styles to the band scene, breaking away from the militarized marching formations, which was the norm in past bands. Foster was appointed to the American Council on the Arts by President Bill Clinton and 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 among others. He also served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into 6 series:
Series 1: Biographical Sketches
Series 2: Chronology of Band History
Series 3: Events and Programs
Series 4: Press
Series 5: Honors and Awards
Series 6: Videorecordings
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Donated to the Special Collections in Performing Arts by Dr. William P. Foster in 1998.
Related Material
The William Foster Collection is part of the American Bandmasters Association Research Center.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
