Florida A&M to Interview Candidates for Director of Marching and Pep Bands

FAMU MARCHING 100

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  After announcing a decision in February to continue a national search for a new Director of Marching and Pep Bands, Florida A&M University will interview two candidates for the position next week.

The search committee will meet with Sylvester Young, a former professor of music at Ohio University, on April 8 and 9. Don Roberts, instrumental music coordinator for Dekalb County School District, will interview on April 9 and 10. All sessions are open to public.

FAMU BAND SEARCH SCHEDULE 2013


BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Sylvester Young, 1990-1996, Ohio University

Dr. Sylvester Young, a Florida native, received a bachelor's degree in music education from Florida A&M University in 1969, and in 1986 was recognized as one of that institution's "100 Most Outstanding Graduates." He earned his master's degree in music from Bowling Green State University in 1973.

Young completed all course work for the Ph.D. program in music education at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. While at Missouri, he performed in select ensembles, including the famous MOSSPAC Symphony (Missouri Symphony Society Performing Arts Center). Young has also taught music in several states, including South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Virginia where he conducted the Hampton University Marching "Force," a 220-piece band.

The Marching 110 was under Young's direction from 1990 through 1996. Currently, Young is a member of the instrumental music education faculty of the Ohio University School of Music.

Don Roberts, Creator and Director

Mr. Don P. Roberts, M.M.ED. served as the Executive Band Consultant for the Twentieth Century Fox hit movie, “Drumline”. He was responsible for training the actors, writing the precision drills, rehearsing the band, etc. As the chief band consultant, he played a vital role in the making of “Drumline” and its success. The movie received national and international acclaim. In 2003, it was nominated by the NAACP as “Most Outstanding Motion Picture” and also nominated for an “American Choreography Award” for outstanding achievement in a feature film.

Most recently, Mr. Roberts was appointed as the Associate Producer and Executive Band Consultant for the ESPNU Television series, “The Battle”, which features some of America’s best Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Marching Bands. The five series weekly show debuts in the fall of 2010.

Mr. Roberts also serves as the President and Musical Director of the company, Halftime Live, which has provided the official drum line for the Atlanta Hawks from 2007-Present, and the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. The Halftime Live Marching Band was featured on worldwide television as they performed with Grammy award winning artist, Ne-Yo, as a part of the 2008 National Hockey League All-Star Game halftime show.

In 2009, Mr. Roberts served as the Musical Director and Executive Band Consultant for the “Black College Football Xperience” video game by Neriyzed Game Studios (bcfxgame.com). Mr. Roberts also choreographed the drills and routines for the popular Nature’s Own Whitewheat Bread commercial, which featured marching bands and debuted during the 2005 Super Bowl.

In 2005, Mr. Roberts also worked as the Executive Band Consultant on the Missy Elliot hit song, “Bad Man”, from her album, “The Cookbook”.

Don P. Roberts received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. While at FAMU, he served as drum major, student conductor, and student arranger in what is considered to be one of the finest band programs in America.

He received a Master's Degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Presently, Mr. Roberts is pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Administration from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida.

As an educator, Mr. Roberts has served as the Instrumental Music Coordinator of the DeKalb County School System (26th largest school system in America) since 1996.  He served as the Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands at Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, Georgia from 1990 through 1996. He was appointed to a dual role from 1998-2004 as DeKalb County Instrumental Music Coordinator and Southwest DeKalb High School Co-Director of Bands. With the assistance of six chairmen (3 band and 3 orchestra), Mr. Roberts supervises approximately 100 instrumental music directors, 19 high schools, 19 middle schools, and 88 elementary schools. There are more than 15,000 students participating in band and orchestra in DeKalb schools.

Under the guidance of Mr. Roberts, the DeKalb County School System has one of the largest, most active and innovative music programs in the state of Georgia. The DeKalb School System was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Communities in Music Education in America” in 2005 and 2008.

Mr. Roberts' bands (Southwest DeKalb High School and McNair Middle School) received superior ratings for fifteen consecutive years from the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). The Southwest DeKalb High School band was the first African American high school band to ever perform for the Georgia Music Educators Association Convention in state history (1996). Under Mr. Roberts' tutelage the band was invited to perform in the 1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The band also recorded the compact discs, "We Rock the House", in 1996 and “Band of the 90’s” in 2000.

One of Mr. Roberts’ greatest accomplishments as a music educator was the Southwest DeKalb Panthers being the only band in America selected to perform in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games where he worked with world renown “Super Producers” Kenny Ortega (High School Musical and This Is It) and Don Mischner (Prince Super Bowl Halftime 2007).

Additionally, he served as Assistant Band Director of the Atlanta Olympic Band, which performed in the Closing Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games.

His 300 member Panther Marching Band was also the hero band in the movie, “Drumline”. They have performed all across the United States.

In 2008, Mr. Roberts was recognized by the Dallas Austin Foundation as its 2008 “Maestro of the Year in Music Education”. He was also recognized as a 2008 Black History Living Legend by Atherton Elementary School in DeKalb County.

Mr. Roberts has served as a clinician, adjudicator, and arranger for many different organizations throughout the Southeast. He was Multicultural Chairman for the Georgia Music Educators Association for four years (1998 – 2001). In addition to his membership in GMEA and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity, Mr. Roberts is a member of the 100 Black Men of America, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Music Educators National Conference.

He is Co-Founder of Precision Incorporated (Summer Band Camp), Chief Consultant for the Metro Atlanta Battle of the Bands, and former Executive Producer of DeKalb Schools Television Show, "Music in Motion".