Reid turns down band directorship, FAMU reopens search

Yesterday, FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson confirmed that North Carolina Central University band director Jorim Reid declined an offer to lead the Marching 100. According to Robinson, the sticking point was a disagreement over FAMU’s new structure for the Department of Music and director of bands position.

The new band director will not run the Department of Music as previous Marching 100 heads William P. Foster and Julian White did. He or she will report to the department chairman.

FAMU is now reopening the search.

Richard Beckford, the band director at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, will not be reconsidered for the job. Robinson said that he did not meet all the qualifications.

But the two remaining finalists from the previous search, Gregory Drane and Shelby Chipman, could be eligible for a second look. Drane is the assistant director of the Penn State University Blue Band. Chipman is the associate director of the FAMU Marching 100.

“We haven't ruled anybody out; we haven't ruled anybody in,” Robinson said.

FAMU is considering hiring a search firm to assist with the new search.

The extended delay in filling the band director position makes it even less likely that the Marching 100 will return for this year’s football season.