Late Professor George W. Edwards, architect of the highly acclaimed PVAMU Marching Storm and the Black Foxes.For more than a decade, the 80-game losing streak of Prairie View A&M's football team ranked the Panthers among the worst college football teams of all time. It wasn't until 2009 that Prairie View A&M football started showing some success and the historically black college clinched its first SWAC Western Division championship in 45 years. The conference title was a fitting tribute to Prairie View A&M's legendary band director, George Edwards, who died May 28, 2009, after a car accident in Houston, Texas.
For much of Edwards' 31 years at the school, the Marching Storm was the only reason to come out and see the football team. "During the halftime of an HBCU game, people don't go get hot dogs and cokes," said William McQueen, who took over after his friend's death. "You do that some other time. You want to be in the stands at halftime to see the show. Football people think fans come to football games to see football. With HBCU bands, we can have all bands and still fill up a stadium."
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NOTE TO MEAC/SWAC FANS:
The world-renowned Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm Band is under the very capable leadership of Dr. William F. McQueen, III. McQueen is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University with honors and a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from Florida State University. Dr. McQueen completed course work and recital requirements for the Ph.D. in Trumpet Performance at Michigan State University and earned the Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the University of Houston.
Dr. McQueen's teaching career includes teaching and serving as Assistant Band Director at Florida A&M University, under the baton of the legendary Dr. William P. Foster (founder and conductor of the world-famous FAMU Marching 100); graduate teaching assistance at Florida State University and Michigan State University and adjunct instructor of trumpet at Lansing Community College. He studied trumpet with Dr. Lenard C. Bowie at Florida A&M University, Don Hazzard at Florida State University and Byron Autrey at Michigan State University.
Dr. McQueen became a member of the faculty at Prairie View A&M University in 1978 as an Associate Professor of Music, Director of the University Marching Band and the ROTC Band (1978-1984). During his tenure at Prairie View he has had the honor of serving as interim Head of the Department of Music and Drama. Additionally he has taught in the College of Business (1989-1998) and the Division of Social Work, Behavioral and Political Science (1987- 2004).
He now serves as the Director of Bands and Director of the Trumpet Ensemble. His teaching course load includes Applied Trumpet, Instrumental Conducting, Afro American Music and Music Appreciation. The assistant directors of the Marching Storm are Larry Jones and Mark Gordon. Dr. McQueen is focusing on building a motivating force to exemplify a higher level of talent, class and intellect among band students. The Marching Storm will forever thrive and never weaken.
