William Patrick Foster (jan 1, 1937 – dec 1, 1994)

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William Patrick Foster, a 1937 graduate of Sumner High School, was given many names: America’s Band Master, The Man Behind the Baton, and The Law. He attended Kealing and Stowe Elementary Schools, Northeast Jr. High School, and he graduated from Sumner High School.

His post-secondary education included graduating from the University of Kansas in 1941. He received the Master of Arts degree from Wayne State University in 1950 and the Doctor of Education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1955. His Doctoral Dissertation, written in 1955, was published under the title Band Pageantry and has been the bible for marching band directors over the years.

His band tenure began when he was hired as Band Director at Lincoln High School, Springfield, Missouri, then on to Ft. Valley State College, and Tuskegee Institute. In 1946, he became the Band Director at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, and served in that capacity until 1998.

The Florida A&M “Marching One Hundred” became internationally known. In 1985, the band was selected as the recipient of the Sudler Trophy, which was considered to be the Heisman Trophy of Marching Band awards. They were the fourth recipient of this award.
He served as Director of the McDonald’s All-American High School Band from 1980-91.
In 1989, the Florida A&M Marching Band was invited by France to participate in the Two Hundred Anniversary Bastille Day Parade. All of the expenses for this event, $500,000, were borne by France. The “Marching One Hundred” was the sole representative of the USA in the Bastille Day Parade.

In 1973, the University of Kansas and the Alumni Association conferred the Citation for Distinguished Service upon William Patrick Foster. He was the first recipient of the United States Achievement Academy Hall of Fame Award and the first Outstanding Education Award by the School of Education Society of the University of Kansas Alumni Association.
In 1994, he was elected President of the American Band Masters Association. (The Man Behind the Baton-Foster)

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