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Dr. J. William Nicholas, Director of Bands
tuskegeemcp 
(2024-25 Interest Form)
SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION REQUIREMENTSWoodwind and Brass
Percussion
*Keyboard and/or snare drum sight reading will be required of all percussionists who audition.*
PIPERETTE AND TWIRLING DIVA AUDITIONS
(24-25 Interested Auxiliary Students QR code) ABOUT THE BAND PROGRAM
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). DIRECTOR OF BANDS
The Tuskegee University Band is under the direction of Dr. J. William Nicholas, a native of Orlando, FL. Nicholas earned the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in band conducting at the University of South Carolina. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Florida A&M University and Florida State University. His professional affiliations include the Golden Key International Honor Society, National Association for Music Education, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. Nicholas recently served as the Adjunct Director of Bands at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and taught instrumental conducting. As an avid tuba player, Nicholas most recently performed as an on-call musician for several churches in the Orlando area. During his undergraduate study, he served as a principal tubist in the Florida A&M University Wind Ensemble and performed in numerous University chamber ensembles and chamber ensembles around the "Big Bend." Nicholas is well-known in the secondary school band community; he has arranged for several bands across the southeastern United States over the last decade, including over ten high schools. From 2014 to 2019, he served as Director of Bands at Jones High School in Orlando, Florida. He grew the band program to 110 students, significantly increased student participation in audition-based honor bands, and earned consistent superior ratings on the District and State level. In 2018, in conjunction with the Jones High School Wind Ensemble, the Jones High School Concert Choir, garnered national attention on the "Ellen" show after receiving a $100,000 donation to fund a trip to perform at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he has arranged for the Edward Waters College "Triple Threat" Marching Band and the Allen University "Band of Gold" Marching Band. Nicholas has also served as a Session Coordinator for presentations at the Florida Music Educators Association Conference. TU BANDS STAFFInstructional Staff J. William Nicholas, Director of Bands Operations Staff JeGayde Colvert, Announcer BAND HISTORYThe Marching Crimson Pipers (MCP) Band 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:
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 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:
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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 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. BAND SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships (participation grants) are available by audition. For more information, contact: Dr. J. William Nicholas, Director of Bands, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL. 36088; email jnicholas@tuskegee.edu or call 334-724-4789 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow 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. What should I play for my audition? A chromatic scale (full, comfortable range of your instrument), major scales A natural, B-flat, and E natural, and a selection of your choice. You may play any solo or etude for your instrument. You can even play an excerpt or excerpts from some of your band music! Choose something that demonstrates your very best playing and try to exhibit both technical and lyrical playing. You should play accurately, with all the correct notes and rhythms, along with expressive dynamics and a steady tempo. 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? Videos may be submitted beginning October 3, 2022. Priority will be given to students who perform live or submit video auditions prior to December 5, 2022. Auditions will continue to be accepted as funds are available. 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. CONTACT USDr. J. William Nicholas, Director |
