Three of William P. Foster’s former students in the running to lead Marching 100

Three FAMU alumni who marched under “The Maestro” are finalists to carry the banner of his legacy.

The search committee for the new FAMU director of marching and pep bands has narrowed the applicant pool down to four finalists. Three of the four played with the Marching 100 while it was under the directorship of the legendary William P. Foster. They are Richard Beckford, Jorim Reid, and Shelby Chipman.

Beckford is the director of bands at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fla. Reid directs the Marching Sound Machine Band at North Carolina Central University. Chipman is the associate director of the FAMU Marching 100.

Gregory Drane is only finalist who did not attend FAMU. He is an alumnus of Bethune-Cookman and is the assistant director of the Penn State University Blue Band.

Beckford’s campus interview took place yesterday. Drane visits today. Reid will interview on Nov. 29 and Chipman will interview on Nov. 30.

The schedule for all of the candidates is as follows:

8:00 - 9:30: Search Committee 301 Foote-Hilyer Administration Center (FHAC)

9:45 - 10:15: Dean of  College of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities (301 FHAC)

10:15 - 11:00: Department of Athletics (301 FHAC)

11:00 - 12:30pm: President and Leadership Team (301 FHAC)

1:15 - 1:45: Department Chair (301 FHAC)

2:00 - 3:30: Faculty (Foster-Tanner Recital Hall)

3:35 - 5:30: Band Rehearsal (Foster-Tanner Band Rehearsal Hall)