Since 1926, The World Famed Tiger Marching Band has been known for making history from performing in the first super bowl, Coca-Cola and Cartoon Network commercials as well as multiple presidental inauguration parades.
Now, the World Famed Marching Band is making history again by naming Dr. Nikole Roebuck the New Head Director of Bands and Head of the Music Department. Roebuck, has taught at GSU for 12 years while serving as an assistant band director. She officially assumed her new position on June 1.
The Minden, La. native’s work includes performances for the NBA, ESPN, presidential inaugurations, numerous national brands and recently being globally recognized in April of 2019 by performing for Adidas and Beyoncé.
Roebuck is the tenth director to lead the marching band and is the first female head director in the band’s 93-year history.
According to a press release by Grambling State University’s Media Bureau, Roebuck is only the third female band director in the history of HBCUs. Roebuck is also the second female band director in the history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The naming of more female band directors in HBCUs and the SWAC comes as gender equality has been a hot topic in the wake of various women’s empowerment movements gaining national attention.
Roebuck has been a music professor for 18 years. She graduated from GSU’s music education program before receiving her M.A. in music from the University of Louisiana-Monroe in 2005 and her Ph.D. in music education from the University of Memphis in 2009. 