Instrumental music education, as it evolved in the segregated African American communities and their educational institutions, remains an under-investigated area of historical research. As a partial remedy to that circumstance, this study sought to document one of the more noteworthy of such accounts, the history of instrumental music ensembles at Tennessee State University (TSU) and its most significant Directors. In so doing, it traced the progress of instrumental music ensemble activity as it unfolded at one of the United States' prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). To that end, this research addressed the following topics: (1) a rationale for historical research of the TSU Band Program; (2) an explanation of the mission of HBCUs; (3) the early years of instrumental music ensemble activity at TSU (1912-1946); (4) biographies of the Directors of Bands (1946-present); and (5) a conclusion and suggestions for future research. Findings revealed the presence of a seamless instrumental music program that began in 1912 and continues today. According to this investigation, the story of the TSU instrumental music program was one of steady growth that paralleled the gradual acceptance of African American citizens into mainstream American culture. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]