Shelby Chipman, Ph.D. is professor of music and director of bands at Florida A&M University (FAMU.) He received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Music Education from FAMU, completed his master’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois, and received his Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University, where his dissertation study focused on At-Risk Music Students and how middle & high school band programs encouraged students to stay in school. Dr. Chipman’s responsibilities include marching & pep bands, wind symphony, symphonic band, conducting, instrumental methods, and string ensemble. Since his appointment as Director of Bands in 2016, the FAMU Wind Symphony has been invited to perform at numerous festivals and conventions, to include the FMEA Professional Development Conference in Tampa, FL, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and the 2023 CBDNA National Conference in Athens, GA. The Incomparable Marching 100 also performed in the LeBron James Chosen One’s basketball tournament in Los Angeles, CA. The FAMU Incomparable Marching 100 performed for the 2021 “We Are One” Presidential Inauguration” performance, and the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA and numerous other events.
Dr. Chipman has become an advocate of new music and the FAMU band program has participated in commissioning projects and premieres. He is active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor through the United States. In 2019, Dr. Chipman was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, (former district chair), National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, Florida Music Education Association, Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha/Sigma Alpha Iota Music organizations, to name a few. Dr. Chipman was appointed a member of the Midwest Clinic advisory board. Dr. Chipman is a faculty member of Music for All National Music Festivals. He is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician, and the Immediate Past-President of Florida Music Education Association (FMEA). Dr. Chipman is also a member of the John Phillip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Trophy committee, which selects the most outstanding collegiate marching band in the country. He’s an active adjudicator of concert bands and presents clinics throughout the country. Dr. Chipman also conducts the Big Bend Community Orchestra here in Tallahassee.
Prior to his appointment at FAMU, Dr. Chipman was director of bands at Miami Central high school, where he was selected the 1994 teacher of the year, and his bands consistently earned Superior ratings during evaluations. His symphonic band performed in the Bands of America National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, IN and his marching band performed in the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Dr. Chipman is married to Detrick LaShawn and together they have one son, Israel. “As educators, it is our responsibility to encourage students to maintain their focus in school. We must be diligent in bringing out the best in students, each day we open our classroom doors.”
