TALLAHASSEE — The Florida A&M University (FAMU) search committee for a new director of marching and pep bands will hold its first organizational meeting on Sept. 6. by the end of the fall semester.

It is chaired by Rodner Wright, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. 

The committee also includes several high-profile FAMU alumni, including Bishop A.J. Richardson, newly appointed bishop for the 11th Episcopal

District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Bernard Kinsey, a Los Angeles philanthropist and entrepreneur with a passion for African-American history and art of the 19th and 20h centuries.

Richardson, a former drum major, and Kinsey were members of the Marching 100 in the 1960s.

The school posted the vacancy for director of marching and pep bands on June 28. The successful applicant will report to the chairman of the FAMU Department of Music. Previously, the director served as department chairman.

The appointee will oversee all aspects of the marching and pep bands, with specific duties including overseeing all activities of band student organizations and ensembles, providing creative direction, recruiting students for membership, teaching the marching band courses, planning and directing the summer high school band camp, fundraising, planning and executing the band’s travel to athletics events and other events that have been approved by the university and functioning as the liaison between the Athletics Department, the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Music.

A FAMU statement said the director will work closely with the Department of Music Compliance Officer, which is a newly created position.  They will be expected to ensure that staff and members of the marching and pep bands are made aware of and comply with the university's policies and procedures regarding anti-hazing, academic requirements, rehearsal hours and travel.

Meanwhile, with its famed Marching 100 suspended due to a hazing death, Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced that bands from James S. Rickards High School and FAMU Developmental Research School will provide halftime entertainment for the Rattlers’ Oct. 13 matchup against Savannah State University for a “Youth and Community Day” game.

The announcement followed news of the school’s halftime lineup for its home opener on Sept. 15 against Hampton University. Entertainment for that game will feature a performance by major recording artist FUTURE and Joe Bullard.