By Joice M. Dunn
When the clock struck 5 p.m., a whistle began to blow, bringing back an old Grambling Marching Band formation for many former GSU band members returning for homecoming. Some of the former members gathered in the Fellowship Hall of Lewis Temple C.M.E. Church in the Village to pay honor and respect to two distinguished former GSU band directors, William J. Wiley and Charles F. Turner.
Roderick Baptiste offered words of welcome and prayer as he reminded the 50 to 60 former band members of the reason for celebrating the band’s 100 years.
“We pause to remember those who march, played, taught, encouraged and shared in the brotherhood and sisterhood of the band, though they are no longer with us, their music, memories, legacy continue to live on.”
After giving opening remarks, Calvin Stemley offered a couple of Saxophone selections such as “Every Praise Is To Our God” and “Open My Heart” for the group’s enjoyment.
William Wiley was a native of Tuskegee, Ala., who received his musical training from the Boston Conservatory of Music. He was asked by Conrad Hutchinson to move to Grambling around 1954 as a music teacher and assist with the band. He later brought his wife down and two sons, Billy and Christopher.
Wiley taught applied wood winds such as the clarinet and saxophone.
The university didn’t have a fight song, so Mr. Hutchinson arranged the music and Mr. Wiley wrote the lyrics of the Grambling Fight song.
In honor of William J. Wiley, the group presented his son Chris with a plague that read:
We, former members of the “World Famed” Grambling Band, want to express the LOVE, APPRECIATION, and the RESPECT we had and have for your father, Mr. William J. A. Wiley. The road he traveled while working with the band was, at times, rocky. But, he forged ahead and kept his mind on what he was trying to accomplish. He was THE CREATOR of THE SOUND of the “World Famed Marching Band”. That fact is known by ALL the young musicians that came through the Grambling Marching Band program during his tenure. He was hard on us, but it paid off in the end. And the Product was ‘WELL RECEIVED’ by the fans!!!
The second plaque was to the Turner Family, which was accepted by Shelia Robinson Zimmelman from Monroe, who is now living in Manfield, Texas.
We, former members of the “World Famed” Grambling Band, want to express the LOVE, APPRECIATION, and the RESPECT we had and have for your relative, Mr. Charles Turner. He was always there to help a student with any problems, no matter whether it was music-related or even personal, he would help us out. I don’t know if he was much of a dancer or not, but he was a motivator and would try to pump you up to get the steps. Occasionally, he would work with students on the music if they were having difficulties. Mr. Turner was a Godsend for many of the members of The “World Famed” GRAMBLING BAND!!!
A third plaque was presented to Consuella Wiley-Lockheart, to her surprise, making her an honorary World Famed Grambling Tiger 4Life.
Many of former band members had their own stories to tell, reflecting on the things that made Mr. Wiley and Turner special to them. Members such as Roderick Baptiste, Jimmy Boyd, Craig O’Neal, Lord Hughes, Carl Frances, who wrote a book called “And The Band Play On” from zoom calls during Covid and many others.
Lonnie Smith, III, a band member from 1978 until 1982, closed with a few words of wisdom. A lot of times the one that gets the credit is the leader, but he is not the only one putting in the work. Smith reminded the group that it is the band’s Centennial, but not The World Fame because it didn’t come until the 60’s.
Mr. Wiley was responsible for what people heard and Mr. Turner was responsible for what people saw. He loved their spirit because they were Conrad Hutinson’s props for the band. He said that Mr. Wiley and Mr. Turner are no longer here, but as long as their stories are shared, they will be alive. “A great band director does more than teach notes, rhythms and musical techniques. A great director teaches discipline, teamwork, confidence, perseverance, and pride. The true measure of their success is not simply the music they created, but the lives they touched and the legacy they left behind,” was the consensus of the group.