Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
1907
A University Quintet
Dr. Thomas A. Long organizes JCSU’s first music ensemble.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
The story
From a Quintet
to an Institution
The Johnson C. Smith University band program was established in 1907 as a university quintet organized by Dr. Thomas A. Long, the first music director at JCSU.
In 1912 it grew into an orchestra and brass band, though the cost of instruments and the difficulty of finding trained musicians made it a struggle. The ukulele and banjo were added in 1922, and the band began performing at university events and annual on-campus concerts. By the late 1930s and early 1940s, JCSU had added music courses, a music minor and degree certification.
The program became known as the Royal Collegians in 1947, the year a marching band was introduced. It grew substantially over the next decade under Professor Daniel E. Owens, who served both as director at JCSU and as a music educator in the local community.
In 1966 Professor Marvin Davenport took over, created a Concert Band and introduced private lessons — work that earned him respect throughout the CIAA, and a director’s award that still carries his name.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
The Names
Over the years the band was known as the “Dirty Thirty,” the “Nifty Fifty,” the “High Stepping Forty” and the “Institute of Sound.”
The Renaming
When Professor Duncan C. Gray took the role in 1986 and led the band to Ireland a few years later, the program was renamed the International Institution of Sound.
The Band Room
Once on the third floor of the Biddle Hall Administration Building. In 1966 it moved to the old cafeteria, where it remains today.
Through the years
The Long
Blue Line
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Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
1947
The Royal Collegians
A new name, and the first marching band in program history.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
1966
Davenport · The Concert Band Era
Private lessons and a concert band are added. The band room moves to the old cafeteria.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
1986
Ireland · The Name is Earned
Prof. Duncan C. Gray takes the band abroad; it becomes the International Institution of Sound.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
2023
A First for the Program
Dr. Tomisha Brock becomes the first female Director of Bands at JCSU. Atlantic City HBCU Week, the Florida Beach Bowl and the Hornets’ NBA In-Season Tournament follow.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
2024
Coast to Coast
CIAA Battle of the Bands, the Mayor’s Masked Ball, a Microsoft commercial, President Kinloch’s Inauguration, the Red Tails Classic and Carolina Panthers halftime.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
2025
Boston · Essence HBCU Football Classic
The IIOS opens the season on a national stage, then returns for the US Bank grand opening in Charlotte.
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team
2026
Big HBCU Southern Classic · Battle of the Bands
March 2026 — and a new season that opened with band camp on August 1.
In our own words
The Creed
“The International Institution of Sound exists as a living testimony to the epitome of excellence found in the HBCU Band Experience. Our commitment to perfection guarantees audiences the utmost in musicality, marching precision and visual stimulation! Dedication, Determination, and Drive are our hallmarks. Vanquishing all comers who dare to challenge is our privilege!”
Discipline
We are disciplined — because we are the best!
We are disciplined — unlike the rest!
You against me will be no contest!
The Motto
- Dedication
- Determination
- Drive
The Band Song
Sung before every halftime performance
People get ready, the Golden Bulls are coming,
We are stepping up and down the field…
So people get ready to see the Bulls,
We are the Greatest Band in the Land,
Blue and Gold is really out of sight,
We will out step you both day and night!
What we exist to do
Mission &
Vision
Mission
To positively impact the lives of student musicians through stellar performance opportunities, innovative and progressive learning experiences and valuable leadership development — while promoting equality and diversity in a positive learning environment.
Vision
To be the premier program for instrumental music performance, education and the development of future music professionals — treating music as an essential part of a holistic education and a vehicle for human expression and school spirit.
Philosophy
Membership in the IIOS is a privilege that carries responsibility. Every member is an ambassador for Johnson C. Smith University, on and off campus — prepared not only for performances, but for careers, leadership and lifelong success.
Core values
- Excellence
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Discipline
- Respect
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Academic Achievement
- Service
- Unity
Honorary band organizations
Kappa Kappa Psi
& Tau Beta Sigma
Two national honorary organizations serve the JCSU band program — a fraternity and a sorority whose whole purpose is the advancement of college bands and the students who march in them.
Kappa Kappa Psi · National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.
Theta Mu Chapter
Rechartered at Johnson C. Smith University in March 2026 — motto: “Strive for the Highest”
Tau Beta Sigma · National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc.
Eta Omicron Chapter
A United Greek Council organization at Johnson C. Smith University — motto: “For Greater Bands”
What They Do
- Service to the band program and its directors
- Leadership development for student members
- Support at rehearsals, performances and travel
- Promotion of the college band as an institution
Kappa Kappa Psi
- Founded 1919 — national honorary band fraternity
- Theta Mu Chapter rechartered at JCSU, March 2026
- “Strive for the Highest”
Tau Beta Sigma
- Founded 1946 — national honorary band sorority
- Eta Omicron Chapter at Johnson C. Smith University
- “For Greater Bands”
Chapter rosters, line names and intake information to be added by the chapters.
From the archives
The Record
Is Kept
The history of this program is held in the Inez Moore Parker Archives and Research Center at the James B. Duke Memorial Library — manuscripts, scrapbooks, clippings and more than 1,700 photographs documenting life at Johnson C. Smith University from its days as Biddle University onward, including a dedicated marching band collection.
Digital Smith
- Over 8,000 digitised objects
- Photographs, letters, manuscripts and audio
- Includes a JCSU Marching Band photograph collection
The Archives
- Founded out of the Black Cultural Center, 1975
- Named for Prof. Inez Moore Parker
- Preserves the University’s history and the African American experience in the South
1907 – present
Director
Lineage
Every person who has led the band program at Johnson C. Smith University.
1907–1947Dr. Thomas A. LongFirst music director at JCSU
1947–1953Walter Daley
1953–1954Thomas Page
1954–1963Daniel OwensStarted the marching band
1964–1966Wilber Jones
1966–1979Marvin DavenportDirector’s Award named after him
1979–1983Dr. Gary Callahan
1979–1986Freddie Holt
1986–2003Duncan C. GrayRenamed the program “International Institution of Sound”
2004–2005Lorne Lee
2005–2007William Johnson
2007–2009Thurman Hollins
2009–2010Lorne Lee
2010–2022Dr. Robert L. Edwards
2022Dr. Rodney Chism
2022–2023Sir Davis
2023–PresentDr. Tomisha BrockFirst female band director at JCSU
Directors
The Podium
Director of University Bands
Dr. Tomisha Brock
First female band director at JCSU · Assistant Professor of Music
Assistant Director of University Bands
Prof. Justin S. Hubbard
Jayden Hollins
Standard
Leadership
is Earned
Student leaders must be classified as a sophomore or higher with at least one full year of experience in the program, and must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
The Leadership Audition
- Interview
- Performance assessment
- Vocal command assessment
- Conducting and music teaching assessment
- Field teaching assessment
- Prepared and freestyle routine (drum major candidates)
The roster
Staff &
Student Leaders
Coordinators & Staff
- Drum Major Coordinator
- Mr. Trajaun Warren
- Blue Satin Dance Coordinator
- Ms. Aja McAllister
- Assistant Dance Coordinator
- Ms. Zahria Littlejohn
- Flag / Color Guard Coordinator
- Ms. Aniya Bailey
- Assistant Flag Coordinator
- Mr. Emil Foster
- Percussion / Drumline Coordinator
- Mr. Darren Clark
- Director of Percussion Studies
- Mr. Ricardo Reese
- Percussion Tech
- Mr. Chandler Cannon
- Staff Arranger
- Mr. Christian Orr
- Alumni Band Coordinator
- Mr. Alex Coote
- Media Team Coordinators
- Jayden Hollins & Marcus Geter
- Band Volunteer
- Mrs. Alicia Buckson
Student Leadership
- Head Drum Major
- Tylin Walters
- Assistant Drum Majors
- Alex Graham & Neelan Wilson
- Dance Captain
- Sa’Mara McFadden
- Dance Co-Captain
- Soleil Berry
- Flag / Color Guard Captain
- Jyah Covington
- Flag / Color Guard Co-Captain
- Ja’Miah Smith
- Drumline Captain
- Idris Bernard
- Drumline Co-Captains
- Tyrone Taylor II & Omariana Knight
- Woodwind Captain
- Neelan Wilson
- Upper Brass Captains
- Erik McAlister & Jacqueline Brown
- Low Brass Captains
- Lanier Washington & Tylie Gunter
Band Council
- President
- Josiah Matthews
- Vice President
- Rishona Foster
- Secretary & New Member Liaison
- R’Tasia Bellamy
- Treasurer
- Reyshona Simmons
- Historian
- Jacqueline Brown
- Sergeant-at-Arms
- Jahvi Walker
- Chaplain
- Alex Graham
Jayden Hollins / IIOS Media Team