Florida A&M Director of Bands Julian White asserted that the university’s vaunted Marching “100” band remain suspended indefinitely. “I think that, at this point, it would not be prudent to reinstate the band,” White told Florida Public Radio’s Trimmel Gomes in an interview that was syndicated on National Public Radio broadcasts.
No reason was cited in the one-page press statement issued a few minutes ago. His move comes the day that news broke that about 101 people who attended the Florida Classic in November as part of the Marching “100” were not enrolled at FAMU. He had been fighting for reinstatement after the university placed him on leave pending dismissal after Robert Champion’s death in November.
In a brief statement on behalf of the university, President James H. Ammons said: “We wish him well in his retirement. Given his position as department chair and director of bands, we must focus on moving forward with changes to the music department and the marching band.”