Edward Waters University has made another change atop its HBCU band program this spring. It is turning to a familiar name after a brief leadership detour during a pivotal rebuilding effort.The Jacksonville, Florida HBCU announced on April 21 that it has appointed Marques D. Graham as Director of Bands. Graham is no stranger to the institution. He is the founding architect of the “Triple Threat” Marching Band during the Edward Waters College era. Graham helped build the ensemble into a visible part of campus life. The university said his return is part of a broader effort to align band leadership, recruitment and academics as it expands the program for 2026-27.
The move comes just over a month EWU announced a major investment in the program. That earlier push included new brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. It also included 100 new uniforms and a renewed emphasis on building a credit-bearing marching band while also laying groundwork for concert and jazz ensembles.But between that announcement and this week’s update, the program experienced an unexpected turn.On March 27, Edward Waters University 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.”That made this spring a notable one for Edward Waters University. The school was not just relaunching and rebranding its band program. It was also forced to reset its leadership search in real time.\
Familiar leader returns to Edward Waters University band
Now the university is betting on experience and institutional memory.Graham brings more than two decades of collegiate band leadership experience. His résumé includes previous stops at Edward Waters College, Savannah State University, Wiley University and Allen University. The school also highlighted his academic background, noting that he holds a music education degree from South Carolina State University. He holds a master’s degree in educational design and technology from Full Sail University.Just as important, Graham already understands the culture and expectations around the Edward Waters University band program.Described as the founding architect of Triple Threat and said he helped establish a foundation of performance excellence and student engagement. EWU also said his bands have appeared in high-profile settings. That included performances connected to the National Football League and nationally recognized collegiate showcases.That background gives Edward Waters something it needs right now. It gets a leader who can connect the program’s past to its future.Graham made that clear in the university’s release.“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,” Graham said. He added that the vision for the Triple Threat Marching Band is rooted in “structure, accountability, and excellence,” and noted that 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the program.
That anniversary gives the hire added weight. This is not just a staffing move. It is also a symbolic return to a figure tied directly to the program’s foundation.
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