There is NO WAY you can speak of the Aristocrats and not reflect on Frank T. Greer. Greer was director of bands at Tennessee State University from 1951 to 1972. He is the father of the TSU "Aristocrat of Bands".

Prof. Greer's affiliation with the university began when he attended TSU as a student for 2 years. Later, he completed his studies in Music at West Virginia State College, becoming band director at West Virginia High School.

Former TSU President Walter S. Davis, interested in developing a show band, read about Mr. Greer's success with his West Virginia Band and asked him to join the TSU faculty as band director.

Prof. Greer's greatest achievement was the building of the Aristocrat of Bands. One of the ways he developed his band was through travel by touring the nation. "In those days we always played pop music at half time football games but I always included a classical number," he said remembering how the TSU band got its name. "One day," he continued, "a sports writer heard us at one of our games and labeled us "the Aristocrat of Bands."

Prof. Greer's accomplishments as band director were many. In 1955 TSU became the first black college band to appear on national television at the Chicago Bears versus Los Angeles Rams football game telecast. They also played for President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural parade in 1961 and for President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson on their visit to Nashville.

Prof. Greer spent the last seven years of his tenure at TSU as director of student recruiting, a position he was appointed to in 1973. "Recruiting is taking TSU's story to the student," he said. Prof. Greer spent most of his time combating the negative opinions about TSU.

His greatest personal reward was in seeing his students’ progress. Prof. Greer had the privilege of producing more black band directors than any other band director of black institutions in the nation.

Prof. Greer was also proud of contributions that he made in the design of the TSU Music Building. "That building has one of the finest band rooms in the country," he said.

Frank T. Greer passed away in 1997.