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We invite you to join the Tuskegee University Bands! 

The first step is to complete the FREE application for admission

The second step is to complete the FAFSA

Come Join Us !!

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Auditions

Band Interest Form

(Scan QR code to open Band Interest Form)

                         or

 Click here for Interest Form

Contact the Tuskegee University Band Program

Tuskegee University Bands
Chambliss Music Hall, Rm. 107
1200 W. Montgomery Rd.
Tuskegee, AL 36088
                                                   
Email: tubands@tuskegee.edu   
Phone: 334-724-4789
Fax: 334-724-4295

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Virtual or Live Auditions

Virtual Audition
  • Prepare your two-octave 12 major scales and arpeggios, chromatic scale, and natural minor scales (concert pitch G, D, F) for performance.
  • Record your scale performance.
  • Prepare your etude/solo work for performance.
  • Record your etude/solo performance.
  • Upload your recording(s) as an Unlisted video on YouTube (your scales and etude/solo may be one longer video or two shorter videos).
  • Email your video link(s) to tubands@tuskegee.edu with the subject line: First Name & Last Name – TU Bands Virtual Audition.
  • You will be sent a Zoom link to complete sight-reading.
  • Join Zoom meeting at designated time to complete sight-reading.
    DONE!

Live Audition

  • Send an email requesting a live audition to tubands@tuskegee.edu with the subject line: First Name & Last Name – TU Bands Live Audition.
  • Coordinate an audition time with TU Bands Staff.
  • Arrive at Tuskegee University on your audition day to complete your audition.
    DONE!

Learn More about MCP

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Audition Requirements by Sections

Woodwind and Brass

  • 12 Major Scales & Arpeggios (two octaves)
  • Chromatic Scale (through practical range of instrument)
  • Natural Minor Scales (concert pitch G, D, F)
  • Prepared Work (e.g., all-state audition etude, instrumental solo)
  • Sight Reading


Percussions

Snare Drum

  • Rudiments called by TU Bands Staff (open-close-open)
  • 1 rudimental solo (Hurley, Pratt, etc.)
  • Play a concert-style roll which crescendos from piano to fortissimo, and decrescendos back to piano over one minute.

Keyboard*

  • 1 two-mallet solo or etude (e.g., Ragtime solos, all-state etudes, etc.)
  • 1 four-mallet solo (not required, but highly recommended) 
  • Major scales and arpeggios - 2 octaves (these may be performed on xylophone, marimba, or vibraphone)
  • Natural minor scales G, D, F

Timpani^

  • 1 solo or etude (e.g., Firth, Goodman, Hinger, Beck, etc.) – tuning and pitch matching may be tested.


*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.

Crimson Piperette and Twirling Diva Auditions

  • Boot camps for both the Crimson Piperettes and the Twirling Divas occur through the Spring semester each year, with auditions occurring in the early Summer.
  • For more information about joining the Crimson Piperettes, please email crimsonpiperettes@tuskegee.edu.
  • For more information about joining the Twirling Divas, please email twirlingdivas@tuskegee.edu.

About the Band Program

Group photo of the early Tuskegee Band
 
The Tuskegee University 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’ 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 Chairman of the Dept. of Fine and Performing Arts at Tuskegee University).

TU Bands Staff

Instructional Staff
 
  • Rickey Oglesby, Interim Director of Bands and Percussion Instructor
  • Robin Cobb, Crimson Piperette Coordinator
  • Janae Giles, Twirling Divas Coordinator
  • Gerriod Sharp, Drum Major Coordinator
 
Operations Staff
 
  • Stefan Smith, Media Coordinator
  • Tyrone Jackson, Facilities Manager
  • Jabari Leslie, Operations Manager
  • Brandon Brown, Operations Manager

Band History

The Marching Crimson Pipers (MCP)

Archived photo of early band marching along the streetBand Motto — "Setting standards is what we have done…Maintaining those standards is what we do every day."
 
Academic Motto — “It is more important to march across the stage than it is to march across the field."
The high-stepping Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Pipers (MCP) is part of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. The Tuskegee University Band Program consists of four band components:
 
  • Marching Band
  • Concert Band
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Basketball Pep Band
The MCP have enjoyed a long history of excellence, including major appearances in the highly acclaimed Honda Battle of the Bands.  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.
 

Listing of Directors

Archived color picture of the early bandOriginally, 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.
 
  • Charles A. White 1894–1896
  • James W. Davis 1896–1897
  • Captain Elbert V. Williams 1905–1907
  • Major Nathaniel Clark Smith 1907–1913
  • Captain N. Emerson Perkins 1913–1914  
  • George B. Thornton 1914-1915  
  • Captain Frank L. Drye 1915–1917
  • William Gary Thomas 1917–1918 Early band marching
  • J. W. Fentress 1918–1919
  • Captain Frank L. Drye headed the band again in 1919
  • Gilbert A. Baxter 1943–1944
  • Dr. William P. Foster 1944–1946 (Director of Bands Emeritus at Florida A&M University 1946–1998)
  • Alton A. Davenport 1946–1956  
  • Melville C. Bryant 1956-1960  
  • Dr. Lucius R. Wyatt 1960–1963
  • Edward L. Graves 1963–1965 (Director of Bands at Tennessee State University 1979–2011)
  • Dr. Lucius R. Wyatt 1965–1971
  • Ronald J. Sarjeant 1971–1973
  • Dr. Lucius R. Wyatt 1973–1974  
  • Ronald J. Sarjeant 1974–1976 (Director of Bands at South Carolina State University 1976–2004)
  • Warren L. Duncan 1976-2014 (Director of Bands Emeritus)
  • John Q. Lennard 2014-2021 (Director of Bands)
  • Warren L. Duncan 2021-May 31, 2022 (Interim Director of Bands)
  • Dr. J. William Nicholas June 1, 2022 - August 2025 (Director of Bands)
  • Rickey Oglesby October 2025 - present (Interim Director of Bands)

Distinguished Band Alumni

Some of the distinguished band alumni include:
 
  • Earlier black and white picture of majorettes
  • William L. Dawson (famed choral director and arranger)
  • Ralph Ellison (writer)
  • Lionel Richie (music icon/ member of the Commodores)
  • William King (trumpet player for the Commodores)
  • Ronald LaPread (bass player for the Commodores)
  • Conrad Hutchinson Jr. (legendary band director of Grambling State University “World Famed” Marching Band)

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:
 
  • Earlier color picture of majorettesSoldier Field (Chicago)
  • Crosley Field (Cincinnati)
  • Tampa Stadium (Tampa)
  • The Tangerine Bowl (Orlando)
  • Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (Atlanta)
  • Georgia Dome (Atlanta)
  • Browns Stadium (Cleveland)
  • Edward Jones Dome (St. Louis)
  • Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
  • Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg)
  • Legion Field (Birmingham)
  • Rynearson Stadium (Ypsilanti, Mich.)
  • Cardinal Stadium (Louisville)
  • Rice Stadium (Houston)
  • Texas Stadium (Dallas)
  • The Stagg Bowl - NCAA Division III Championship Football Game (Phenix City)
  • Mardi Gras Parade (Mobile)
  • Governor’s Inaugural Parade (Montgomery)
  • The Peanut Festival (Dothan)
  • The band was featured on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (Los Angeles)
  • The Senior Bowl (Mobile)
  • and numerous other stadiums, parades and functions throughout the nation.
  • Early majorettes in color

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 Tuskegee University, now under the direction of Dr. J. William Nicholas, historically brought a large number of fans to the Georgia Dome, which seemed to fuel the Crimson Pipers' already dynamic program and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is a band scholarship? 
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?  
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? 
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? 
NO. Memorization is not a component of your scholarship audition.
 
Does it matter what I wear for my video?  
Wear anything you like – you do not need to dress formally. Dress comfortably and play well!
 
How am I being evaluated?  
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? 
Priority scholarship consideration is reserved for students who have been accepted and complete their audition by March 31 of their senior year.
 
Do I need a letter of recommendation?  
NO, it is not required. However, your director or teacher may submit one on your behalf. It should be emailed to tubands@tuskegee.edu.
 
How many students do you accept?  
We currently have openings in all sections!
 
May I audition on more than one instrument?  
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? 
Notification of scholarship awards generally takes around two weeks. You will be notified by email.
 
What happens next?  
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? 
NO. Only you should be in your audition video.