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William P. Foster papers

 Collection 0202-SCPA

William Patrick Foster (1919-2010) was the director of Florida A&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.

Dates

  • 1971-1998
  • Majority of material found within 1996-1998

Use and Access to Collection

The collection is open for research use. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room during SCPA’s operating hours. Please contact the curator for an appointment or if you have questions related to digital access of the materials.

Duplication and Copyright Information

Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the gift of any copyrighted materials. All rights remain with the creators and rights holders. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.

To inquire about duplication of materials for research or for publication, please contact SCPA’s curator.

Extent

2.0 Linear Feet

Scope and Content of Collection

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 A&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 A&M.

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:

  1. Biographical Sketches
  2. Chronology of Band History
  3. Events and Programs
  4. Press
  5. Honors and Awards
  6. Videorecordings

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Donated to Special Collections in Performing Arts by Dr. William P. Foster in 1998.

Related Material

The William P. Foster papers are part of the American Bandmasters Association Research Center.

Title
William P. Foster papers
Status
Completed
Author
Alex Boatright; revised by Hayden Kramer (2023)
Date
August 2014; revised March 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Library Details

Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
8270 Alumni Drive
College Park MD 20742 United States