Biography
Frank Chapple is currently the Director of Percussion at Keller High School in Keller, Texas. Of the 22 years, he has taught in Texas, 15 years of those have been in his current position.
Frank has been an educator within the Drum Corps International community for 20+ years including a 1996 World Championship with the Phantom Regiment. He has also taught The Glassmen, The Crossmen, Carolina Crown and The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.
In 2015, Mr. Chapple released his fundamentals-based percussion curriculum: The Packet and has been an invited clinician at the 2015 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, 2016 Midwest Clinic, 2017 Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Convention, 2017 Texas MEA Convention, 2018 Texas MEA Convention, 2019 Indiana MEA Convention and 2019 Colorado MEA Convention.
Frank Chapple graduated Cum Laude from Northern Illinois University and is a member of TBA, TMEA, PAS, NAfME and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is sponsored by the Vic Firth Company, Ludwig-Musser Percussion, Conn-Selmer, Inc., Remo Inc., and Zildjian. He is also the president and founder of FECIV Publications.
Session Titles
Building a Successful and Cohesive Feeder Pattern
Teacher
Strategies for creating a tighter connection between all the schools within a single feeder pattern. Starting with the beginning students and continuing through the graduating seniors, a feeder pattern should feel like one band program with one goal. Topics include developing a positive culture of excellence, setting and maintaining standards, developing open communication, implementing effective curriculum, etc...
Building Your Percussion Toolbox from the Podium
Teacher
Many conductors can feel apprehensive when it comes to percussion do's and don'ts while on the podium. Mr. Chapple can provide strategies for knowing what to look for and listen to while conducting your concert percussion section. Topics covered include: understand the percussionist brain, proper techniques for all instruments, how to include the percussion in daily warm up sequences, proper set up and equipment placement, etc...
Effective and Efficient Rehearsal Strategies for Marching Band
Teacher
Getting the most out of every minute during a marching band rehearsal is crucial. In Texas, we are only allowed 8 hours of rehearsal a week. Under those parameters, Mr. Chapple has worked to design procedures and strategies that maximize any amount of rehearsal time for marching bands and drum lines. Achieving goals while increasing student engagement and improvement can happen at any level of program...
I Was Just Handed The Beginning Percussion Class!!! Now What?
Teacher
There is no more important year in a student's musical journey then the first. We only get one chance to start them off correctly in the building of their foundations. Topics will include: choosing the correct supplies and equipment, introducing technique, developing strong counting skills, working through the basic strokes, developing the necessary keyboard skills, understanding and performing the essential rudiments, and approaching the accessory concert percussion instruments.
Idle Hands Are The Devil's Workshop
Teacher
Participants will be presented with strategies for keeping percussion students ENGAGED, INVOLVED and IMPROVING. The "dangers" of bored percussion students will be investigated and (through a detailed plan) will evolve into the ideal situation for any size program. All participants will leave Idle Hands Are The Devil's Workshop armed with the knowledge and confidence to turn their percussion students into a positive and contributing force within their program."