ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Services are scheduled this weekend for Christopher C. Styles, the first African-American band director and chair of the department of music at St. Petersburg College, who died at the age of 79 on Jan. 22.Mr. Styles, who went by Chris, was born in St. Petersburg and dedicated his life to giving back to the community through music, said his sister, Gladys Styles Johnston. He taught music for more than 50 years and was a member of the St. Petersburg chapter of the NAACP, the Pinellas County Urban League, the Junior Symphony, the Al Downing Jazz Association and the Florida A&M University Alumni Association.
He graduated from FAMU in 1954, and as a student he played in the marching band. During his time in the Army, Mr. Styles directed one of the bands. Later, he received a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Most recently, Mr. Styles received the 2014 Ring of Honor award in recognition of ...
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