WJ Julian

Director of bands and professor of music education, Dr. WJ Julian came to the university in January 1961. He was a graduate of Tennessee Tech, veteran of World War II with service in the Pacific as a naval ensign, and held graduate degrees in music from Northwestern. Under his direction, the band grew in numbers, musical ability, and complexity of marching drills.

He developed and made famous the “circle drill”; introduced “Rocky Top”; changed the band uniforms, with the new hats mirroring the “Shakos” of the Color Guard and the bright orange coats being replaced by the more durable black and cream coats trimmed in orange; and, with Football Coach Doug Dickey, instituted, in 1964, the “running through the T” tradition. Julian taught classes in instrumental conducting and marching band techniques in the music education program, while also directing the concert, marching, and pep bands.

While at UT, Dr. Julian served as president of the three major professional band organizations:

The National Band Association, the American Bandmasters Association, and the College Band Directors National Association. In 1992 he was elected to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts. He retired at the conclusion of the 1992–93 academic year.

The band room in the Music Building was named for him in 1993, and the band room in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center retains the designation. In 2010 band alumni, led by alumnus Lee Martin and his wife, Carla, created an endowed professorship for the director of bands. The first person to hold the WJ Julian Professorship was Dr. Gary Sousa.

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  • Title WJ Julian
  • Author
  • Keywords WJ Julian
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
  • URL
  • Access Date July 10, 2025
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 8, 2018