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Dr. Shelby R. Chipman (Tallahassee, FL) Dr. Shelby R. Chipman is a professor of music at Florida A&M University (FAMU), teaching instrumental music education, conducting, coordinating student recitals, and managing student teachers. Chipman also serves as director of the marching and pep bands, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and String Ensemble.
A Miami native, Chipman graduated from Miami Northwestern Senior High and received his B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Music Education from FAMU, studying conducting under the late Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. Chipman completed his master’s and Ph.D. in music education at the University of Illinois and Florida State University, studying with Dr. Bentley Shellahamer.
Previously, Chipman taught music in the Miami-Dade County Public School system for ten years and was named Teacher of the Year in 1993. Under his leadership, the Rocket Marching Band performed for the King Orange Jamboree Parades, the Heritage Festival, FAMU’s Homecoming Festivals, the MLK Parades & Festival, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Miami Central High School Symphonic Band performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. During his tenure in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, he served as Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) district secretary and chairman, on the ethics, all-state, and clinics committees, and on the executive board of FBA.
On the local level in Tallahassee, Chipman served as music director/conductor of the Tallahassee Big Bend Community Orchestra and as Orchestra Director at Bethel AME Church.
The FAMU Wind Symphony and Symphonic Bands perform regularly on campus and at divisional, national, and professional music conferences like FMEA conferences and the CBDNA National Convention. The FAMU Incomparable Marching “100” performed for the Summer Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show in Paris (2023), the Tournament of Roses Parade (2019), and the 46th Presidential Inauguration Celebration.