The HBCU Nationwide Band and Orchestra Administrators’ Consortium has appointed Winston-Salem State College’s director of bands, Dr. Michael Magruder, as its president. On this prestigious function, Magruder leads the one nationwide convention particularly tailor-made for HBCU band administrators and college students for a two-year time period, which began in 2024.
The HBCU-NBODC is dedicated to advancing musical excellence at Traditionally Black Schools and Universities by uniting music educators, administrators, and performers nationwide. The consortium’s important focuses are collaboration {and professional} improvement.
“I’m extraordinarily thrilled and excited to function president of this prestigious group,” Magruder mentioned. “I turned concerned with the group in 2004. Since that point, the WSSU band program has attended every convention, and our college students have represented the college nicely.”
Central to HBCU-NBODC’s mission is the assumption within the transformative energy of music schooling. The consortium ensures that scholar musicians obtain the mentorship and sources they should succeed. It additionally goals to rejoice the legacy of Black music whereas fostering innovation and progress for future musical leaders.
“My hope is that every one HBCU administrators see the worth in a corporation that focuses on HBCU band and orchestra administrators,” Magruder mentioned.
As president of the HBCU-NBODC, Magruder will act because the official spokesperson for HBCU administrators and actively encourage different HBCU band administrators to attend the 2025 convention. He may even work intently with the consortium’s govt board to plan the conference, which is able to function a discussion board for exchanging artistic ideas, business finest practices, and supplies to enhance music schooling.
Earlier than the Crimson Sea of Sound
The Jackson, Mississippi native brings a robust educational background and expertise to his new place. In 1979, he graduated from Louisiana State College with a Grasp of Music diploma in clarinet efficiency. In 2001, he obtained a PhD from the College of Mississippi. Earlier than shifting on to director positions at different colleges, together with Texas School and Jackson State College, he began his profession as band director at Sadie V. Thompson Jr. Excessive College in Natchez, Mississippi.
Since becoming a member of Winston-Salem State College in 2004, Magruder has cultivated the Crimson Sea of Sound Marching Band into an award-winning ensemble. Below his management, band members have earned scholarships and awards recognizing their expertise.
This text sources data from Winston-Salem State College.
