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Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - Jude Young - 06-04-2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Bergez
sjmarti@uno.edu
NEW ORLEANS – June 4, 2026 – As part of its transition to LSU New Orleans, the University of New Orleans announced today the hiring of acclaimed New Orleans music educator and band leader Eddie Williams Jr. as the university’s new band director, marking the relaunch of a marching band program for the institution. The last time the Privateers had a marching band was in the 1970’s.
Williams brings more than two decades of experience in music education, performance leadership and program development, including leadership roles at West Jefferson High School and the nationally recognized “Marching 100” at St. Augustine High School.
The creation of a marching band program represents a major expansion of student life and athletics as the university prepares to officially become LSU New Orleans on July 1. This initiative aligns with the university’s broader efforts to enhance student opportunities, strengthen campus culture and build long-term institutional momentum. The university’s initial goal is to establish a pep band program with plans to march in Mardi Gras parades by 2028.
“As LSU New Orleans continues to grow and evolve, creating opportunities that enrich student life and strengthen our campus’s powerful identity as a 7th Ward institution, is critically important,” said Jeanette Weiland, interim chancellor and chief administrative officer of the University of New Orleans. “Eddie is not only an accomplished educator and musician, but also a proven leader who understands the culture, energy, and traditions that make New Orleans unique. His leadership will help establish a lasting foundation for generations of future students.”
Williams most recently served as director of bands at West Jefferson High School, where he built a thriving program from the ground up, growing participation and leading ensembles that earned superior ratings and competition honors. Prior to that, he directed the renowned “Marching 100” at St. Augustine High School, leading performances at major events, including the Rose Bowl Parade, and collaborating with Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste on the album “We Are.”
Williams is widely respected throughout the New Orleans music community for his work in marching band instruction, show design, music arrangement and student mentorship. During his tenure at St. Augustine, he helped maintain a 100% scholarship rate for graduating band seniors while elevating the national profile of the program.
“Eddie Williams Jr. represents the very best of New Orleans musical tradition, discipline and excellence,” said Aulston G. Taylor, president of St. Augustine High School. “His impact on students extends far beyond performance. He has spent his career developing young leaders, creating opportunities through music and inspiring pride in every organization he serves. LSU New Orleans is gaining a tremendous educator and an outstanding ambassador for our city’s culture.”
Williams said he is honored to help establish a new tradition at the university during a transformational moment in its history.
“It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I begin this new journey as the inaugural band director for LSU New Orleans,” Williams said. “This is an opportunity to build a meaningful program rooted in excellence, tradition, culture and school spirit that reflects the heart and energy of New Orleans. Together, we will create a legacy that inspires students, energizes our campus community and proudly represents the Privateer spirit for generations to come. The sound of LSU New Orleans is coming.”
The University of New Orleans is transitioning to LSU New Orleans on July 1, returning to the LSU System where it was originally founded in 1958. This transition positions LSU New Orleans for expanded academic opportunities, stronger partnerships, enrollment growth and long-term sustainability while preserving the university’s unique identity and longstanding connection to the city of New Orleans.
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The University of New Orleans (UNO) is transitioning to LSU New Orleans on July 1, 2026, as it returns to the Louisiana State University System. For more than 65 years, it has been one of the city’s foremost public resources, offering a diverse set of world-class, research-based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the city’s industry, culture and economy. Since 1958, UNO has educated students from all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states in the United States and more than 140 countries. Today UNO offers more than 40 undergraduate and pre-professional programs and more than 40 graduate programs.
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - Steve - 06-04-2026
(06-04-2026, 10:21 AM)Jude Young Wrote: The creation of a marching band program represents a major expansion of student life and athletics as the university prepares to officially become LSU New Orleans on July 1. This initiative aligns with the university’s broader efforts to enhance student opportunities, strengthen campus culture and build long-term institutional momentum. The university’s initial goal is to establish a pep band program with plans to march in Mardi Gras parades by 2028.
This is great. While I loved the bands this past season:
1) They disappeared halfway through the year, and
2) They were full marching bands, and were too loud. While I would take this over too-loud canned music any day of the week, the fact remains.
So Mardi Gras 2028 is a stretch goal, but might we have a band in place for basketball this coming season?
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - reduno - 06-04-2026
This is good news, I just hope its not too loud for us old folks with only one ear left.
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - Slidell - 06-04-2026
I think this is great news! I love having a live pep band at basketball games!
Recorded music should be relegated to background filler!
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - Steve - 06-04-2026
The question is, what fight song will they be playing?
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - Unofan - 06-04-2026
"2) They were full marching bands, and were too loud. While I would take this over too-loud canned music any day of the week, the fact remains."
The common component here is LOUD. I'm hoping for your typical pep band at basketball games and the full band experience at Mardi Gras parades. Also on my wish list are less loud piped in music and PA announcements, less constant music to fill every single void, less "Heeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrre come the Privateers" which goes on for 45 seconds. Less is better here, but I know I'm nitpicking and may be in the minority. The concept is good but I'm not crazy about the execution. By comparison, from a music/entertainment standpoint, I enjoyed the baseball games at Privateer Park more this season than at the Arena; but that's just me.
I'd be interested to know how the game day experience in basketball at LSU compares to that at UNO, factoring out the crowd noise. Was the piped in music, PA announcements, and band just as loud? My cousin who attends the basketball games at ULL says that it's way too loud there also. The common component here is that we're all OLD.
I am glad to hear about the marching band program starting up!
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - SECOER - 06-04-2026
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/uno-announces-revival-of-marching-band-ahead-of-lsu-transition/289-ddb8dfdb-9c55-4051-a9a8-eeb52fc45dff?tbref=hp
Some positive news for the Lakefront Campus......
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - reduno - 06-04-2026
(06-04-2026, 04:15 PM)SECOER Wrote: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/uno-announces-revival-of-marching-band-ahead-of-lsu-transition/289-ddb8dfdb-9c55-4051-a9a8-eeb52fc45dff?tbref=hp
Some positive news for the Lakefront Campus......
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - CatCam - 06-04-2026
Let's see. If the band has a resemblance of a LSU Tiger (I know, blasphemy!) band, albeit a smaller size, I'm all for it. If it is an out-of-control BLAT BLAT, BLAT, BLAH, 4 Note band that is indicative of a SWAC college, I'll pass.
RE: Eddie Williams Jr. named band director as part of transition - Tpstr - 06-04-2026
“Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in”
Wonderful news for this old alum. So many questions need to be answered, but glad to see someone’s talking about putting the band back together.
