Edward Waters University Welcomes Back Founding Band Director to Lead Triple Threat Rebuild

Edward Waters University is turning to its roots as it rebuilds one of campus life's most visible programs. The Jacksonville, Florida HBCU announced on April 21 that it has appointed Marques D. Graham as Director of Bands, bringing back the founding architect of the institution's "Triple Threat" Marching Band.

The appointment caps an eventful spring for the university's band program. Just over a month earlier, EWU announced a major investment that included new brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, 100 new uniforms, and a renewed emphasis on building a credit-bearing marching band while laying groundwork for concert and jazz ensembles.

However, the program experienced an unexpected leadership change between that announcement and Graham's hiring. On March 27, Edward Waters announced that Moses Evans, who had accepted the role of Director of the Triple Threat Marching Band, had decided not to move forward in the position. The university said it respected his decision and would continue the search with "urgency and care."

A Leader With Deep Institutional Ties

Graham brings more than two decades of collegiate band leadership experience to the role. His résumé includes previous stops at Edward Waters College, Savannah State University, Wiley University, and Allen University. He holds a music education degree from South Carolina State University and a master's degree in educational design and technology from Full Sail University.

Perhaps most importantly, Graham already understands the culture and expectations around the Edward Waters band program, having helped establish it during the Edward Waters College era.

"Returning to Edward Waters University presents a meaningful opportunity to build in alignment with the institution's academic mission, growth, and commitment to student success. The vision for the Triple Threat Marching Band is rooted in structure, accountability, and excellence."

Graham noted that 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Triple Threat program, giving his appointment added symbolic weight beyond just a staffing decision.

Building Beyond Halftime

Edward Waters has consistently framed this effort as extending beyond performance. The university said the band program will operate as an academically grounded, credit-bearing enterprise under Graham's leadership, featuring:

• Year-round instruction
• Structured recruitment pipelines
• Measurable outcomes tied to student achievement and ensemble performance
• New branded marching uniforms to be fully deployed beginning in the 2026-27 academic year

In a university statement, EWU emphasized that its focus isn't simply on building a band, but on building a program that reflects the full academic and developmental mission of the institution. This mirrors messaging from President A. Zachary Faison Jr. in the March 17 rollout, when he emphasized supporting band students not only as performers but as learners.

The school is actively recruiting musicians for Fall 2026, with auditions continuing through the spring and summer and scholarship opportunities available for qualified students. After a brief period of uncertainty, Edward Waters appears positioned to turn its band program relaunch into sustained momentum under familiar leadership.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.