TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The founder and longtime director of the Florida A&M "Marching 100" band has died. William P. Foster was 91.

University officials say Foster died early Saturday in Tallahassee.

Foster served as the marching band's director from 1946 to 1998. He created more than 200 halftime pageants for the marching band at the historically black university.

He is credited with innovating marching band techniques, including a high stepping style imitated by bands nationwide.

In 1989, the French chose the Marching 100 to represent the United States in the Bastille Day Parade celebrating the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution.

The band also has performed in Super Bowls, the Grammys and the inaugurations of Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.