Dr. Sylvester Young, a Florida native, received a bachelor's degree in music education from Florida A&M University in 1969, and in 1986 was recognized as one of that institution's "100 Most Outstanding Graduates." He earned his master's degree in music from Bowling Green State University in 1973.

Young completed all course work for the Ph.D. program in music education at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. While at Missouri, he performed in select ensembles, including the famous MOSSPAC Symphony (Missouri Symphony Society Performing Arts Center). Young has also taught music in several states, including South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Virginia where he conducted the Marching "Force," a 220-piece band.

The Marching 110 was under Young's direction from 1990 through 1996. Currently, Young is a member of the instrumental music education faculty of the Ohio University School of Music. The 1997 members of the Ohio University Marching 110 were also honored to hear Mr. Young speak at their annual band banquet.