Dr. J. William Nicholas, Director of Bands
听 tuskegeemcp听听
(Scan or click听QR code to open Band Interest Form)
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听 听 The first step in joining the program is completing the听FREE听application for admission to 抖阴短视频 () and the FAFSA (). Virtual Audition
Live Audition
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SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION听REQUIREMENTSWoodwind and Brass
Percussion*
*Keyboard and/or snare drum sight reading will be required of all percussionists who audition. ^Timpani performance is not required, but highly recommended for priority scholarship consideration. If you have questions, please email Dr. Nicholas at jnicholas@tuskegee.edu. CRIMSON PIPERETTE AND TWIRLING DIVA听AUDITIONSBoot camps for both the Crimson Piperettes and the Twirling Divas occur through the Spring semester each year, with auditions occurring in the early Summer.
ABOUT THE BAND PROGRAM
The 抖阴短视频 Marching Crimson Piper Band has enjoyed a long history of excellence. At the tender age of 25 years (1906), Tuskegee Institute could boast of a well-organized band of 35 pieces and an 18-piece orchestra. Organizationally, the band was part of the Military Department, an administrative arrangement of several years鈥� duration. Captain Elbert V. Williams was bandmaster and Captain N. Emerson Perkins succeeded him. George B. Thornton served as acting bandmaster during 1914-15, on a part-time basis, after which Captain Frank L. Drye was appointed bandmaster of the 45-member Tuskegee Institute Band. 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. Subsequent directors of the Tuskegee Marching Band have been Dr. William P. Foster (Director of Bands Emeritus at Florida A&M University), Dr. Lucius R. Wyatt (former Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University), Edward Graves (Director of Bands at Tennessee State University), Ronald J. Sarjeant (retired Director of Bands at South Carolina State University), and Warren L. Duncan (Director of Bands Emeritus and听Chairman of the Dept. of Fine and Performing Arts at 抖阴短视频). DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Dr. J. William Nicholas serves as Director of Bands in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 抖阴短视频, where he conducts the Tuskegee Winds, leads the Marching Crimson Pipers, teaches courses in Conducting, and oversees all aspects of the band program. Dr. Nicholas joined the 抖阴短视频 faculty in 2022, after completing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at the University of South Carolina. In his time at UofSC, Dr. Nicholas lead the Carolina Volleyball Band, and served as guest conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and University Band. Dr. Nicholas also served as Interim Director of University Bands at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina during his doctoral study. Prior to doctoral study, Dr. Nicholas served as Director of Bands at Jones High School in Orlando, Florida, and in that time (2014-2019), grew the band program to over 110 students, significantly increased student participation in audition-based honor bands, and earned consistent superior ratings on the District and State level. In 2018, the Jones High School Wind Ensemble garnered national attention on the "Ellen" show after receiving a $100,000 donation to fund a trip to perform at Carnegie Hall. For his work, Dr. Nicholas received the Florida Music Education Association鈥檚 Tom Bishop Award, which recognizes a Director in the State of Florida who has turned a program around and made a 鈥渉uge, positive difference鈥� in a short amount of time. Dr. Nicholas has presented sessions at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the Southern Division of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conference, and has served as a Session Coordinator for presentations at the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Conference. Dr. Nicholas maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator, most recently serving as the Birmingham City Schools All-City Marching Band Camp Director, where he lead over 600 high school students from every high school band in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Nicholas earned the Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University and the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University. His professional affiliations include the Golden Key International Honor Society, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. TU BANDS听STAFFInstructional Staff J. William Nicholas, Director of Bands Operations Staff Stefan Smith, Media Coordinator BAND HISTORYThe Marching Crimson Pipers (MCP) Band Motto -- "Setting standards is what we have done鈥aintaining those standards is what we do every day."听 Academic Motto --听 鈥淚t is more important to march across the stage than it is to march across the field." 
The high-stepping 抖阴短视频 Marching Crimson Pipers (MCP) is听part of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.听The 抖阴短视频 Band Program consists of four band components:听
The MCP have enjoyed a long history of excellence, including major appearances in the highly acclaimed Honda Battle of the Bands.听 This SIAC portion of the Annual Invitational Showcase is usually held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA and features marching bands from 10 participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). The event attracts and thoroughly entertains nearly 65,000 fans.听 LISTING OF DIRECTORS Originally, the band was part of the Military Department. Hence, the bandmasters were military captains. In 1931, the School of Music was established under the directorship of William L. Dawson.
DISTINGUISHED BAND ALUMNI Some of the distinguished band alumni include:听
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PERFORMANCES For nearly 100 years, the Marching Crimson Pipers, known for their unique marching style, powerful music arrangements, intricate dance steps and quality presentations by the dancing piperettes, flag line and soulful drum majors, have performed at:
BATTLE OF THE BANDS The Honda Battle of the Bands program includes two components. The Celebration Tour provides an opportunity for 45 participating schools from around the country to earn a $1,000 grant for their halftime performances at selected football games during the fall. At the end of the Tour, the 10 bands that demonstrate the most showmanship, musicianship and fan interaction will be invited to the Invitational Showcase. Each of the 10 schools selected will receive an additional funds toward its scholarship fund. The invitees will include the two top bands from each of the four HBCU athletic conferences (CIAA, SWAC, MEAC, SIAC) and two independent schools. The selection process is based solely on a three-tiered process. Thirty-three percent of the vote will be from the on-line fan voting at http://www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com . Thirty-three percent will be from the commissioners of the four conferences and school presidents, and thirty-three percent will be from the band directors. Commissioners, presidents and band directors are not allowed to vote for their own school(s). All on-line surveys must be completed and submitted by the deadline. The Marching Crimson Pipers of 抖阴短视频, now under the direction of Dr. J. William Nicholas, historically brought听a large number of fans to the Georgia Dome, which seemed听to fuel the Crimson Pipers' already dynamic program and performance. BAND SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships (participation grants) are available by audition. For more information, contact: Dr. J. William Nicholas, Director of Bands, 抖阴短视频, Tuskegee, AL. 36088; email jnicholas@tuskegee.edu听or call 334-724-4789 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow much is a band scholarship?听听Band scholarship awards are merit-based. This means that your scholarship award will be based on the strength of your audition and the personnel needs of the program. Do I need an accompanist?听听NO. If you play something accompanied, you can simply play it without the accompaniment. If you do have an accompanist, that is acceptable, but it will not factor into your scholarship award. Do I need to play a marching instrument in my audition?听听NO. Tuba and baritone players may play a concert or marching instrument. Mellophone players may audition on French horn, but preference will be given to those who audition on mellophone. Does the music need to be memorized?听听NO. Memorization is not a component of your scholarship audition. Does it matter what I wear for my video?听听Wear anything you like 鈥� you do not need to dress formally. Dress comfortably and play well! How am I being evaluated?听听Members of the TU Bands staff will view your video and evaluate you based on tone quality, technique, expression, and rhythmic/pitch accuracy. What is the deadline for sending my video?听 Priority scholarship consideration is reserved for students who have been accepted and complete their audition by March 31 of their senior year. How many students do you accept?听听We currently have openings in all sections! May I audition on more than one instrument?听听YES. If you perform proficiently on more than one instrument, we will contact you to discuss which you would like to play. How and when will I know if I earned a scholarship?听 Notification of scholarship awards generally takes around two weeks. You will be notified by email. What happens next?听听Your scholarship award email will include instructions for registration, as well as a complete schedule of events for the fall. Can my friend from the same school and I be in a video together?听 NO. Only you should be in your audition video. CONTACT USDr. J. William听Nicholas, Director |
