Hailed nationally as the dean of bands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, visiting assistant professor and recruiter O’Neill Sanford was elevated Wednesday from the role of interim to director of bands at Jackson State University in a ceremony that stunned the veteran music educator.
The well-kept secret promotion – unknown to most, and even Sanford – was met with excitement from faculty and staffers about a music program with perennial success.
In recognizing Sanford, President Carolyn W. Meyers said, “I’m so delighted. I love music. … Your being here is providence. … This is about getting the best talent in front of our students. … (Sanford) is the dean of HBCU bands. I look at you as a special blessing. … It’s just plain destiny and good fortune to have you here.”
Meanwhile, Sanford said, “I’m shocked. One thing I said to the staff when I was appointed as the interim director of bands was that I needed to know everything that’s going on with this band program and to keep me informed. If you don’t, I’m going to write you up,” he said as the crowd roared in laughter. “I feel honored. This is so unnecessary. … But it’s an honor. I have a great feeling for people who show such appreciation,” he said.
Even Sanford’s wife hid the secret from him, said Dr. David O. Akombo, interim chair of the department of music. Akombo said the selection is “confirmation of the good works (Sanford) has done over the years.”
The music virtuoso said, “For whatever reason God brought me to Jackson State, I’m committed. We’re grateful to have such a great staff,” said Sanford, who succeeds the recently retired Dowell Taylor. Now, Sanford is pressing forward by building on past successes. He cited the band’s expansion to 349 members and an upcoming new fight song that he wrote for the university. “We’ve developed a monster here,” he said.
Dr. Mario Azevedo, dean of the College of Liberal Arts described Sanford as “a really good man” and transformative figure. “We appreciate your work and hope that you will continue doing what you’ve been doing.”
Sanford, who was hired in 2012 as a recruiter for the department of music, said, “My biggest challenge and fear of coming here was learning how to stand down. I had been a director of bands for 45 years on the college level: Big 10, Big East, the whole bit. I didn’t know how I was going to be in a secondary role. … But at some point, as I’ve told students, you have to learn how to be a follower. I had been a leader, so I had to reverse. But after about a year, I said, ‘I like this’ because I would see Dowell running around trying to do (tasks) … I would look at him and say, ‘Look man, I’m going to take a trip to Chicago,” said Taylor – much to Dowell’s chagrin. “Shift happens,” Sanford said. “Now, a shift has happened in this program at Jackson State, and here I am.”
Dr. Evelyn J. Leggette, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, described Sanford as a “man who speaks softly but who asks for a lot of things and expects a lot of things.” She saluted Sanford for his outstanding contributions to Jackson State, including his hard-working team, expertise and patience. She also lauded him for serving as an adviser to students on and off the playing field by encouraging academic excellence.
Roderick Little, director of JSU’s marching bands, also praised Sanford. “Everything happens for a reason. This appointment denotes that it is merely time for you to serve in the capacity of director of bands so that you can continue making a positive impact on the department of music, the university and, most importantly, our students. … Your experience … will thrust our program to astronomical proportions to which we have never seen before.”
For now, Sanford is accompanying the Sonic Boom for its weekend performance in Atlanta at the 2016 Honda Battle of the Bands – an annual marching exhibition that features performances in the Georgia Dome each January by HBCUs. Honda annually awards more than $205,000 in grants to participating institutions.
