About Me

Timothy Turnley (b. 2001) is a Percussion Performer and Educator from Keller, Texas. He graduated from Keller High School in the Spring of 2019 where he studied under the influence of Mr. Frank Chapple, Russell Wharton, Miles Locke and Ms. Cara Wildman. In August 2019, Tim began his formal studies at the University of Houston to major in Music Education under the direction of Dr. Blake Wilkins and Mr. Alec Warren.

Tim’s professional affiliations includes the Texas Music Educators Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and the Percussive Arts Society – Texas Chapter

Educator

As an educator, Tim has worked with the Allen High School Front Ensemble and the Keller High School Front Ensemble throughout their 2019 August band camps.

For two years, Tim worked as the Private Lessons Instructor for the Shadow Creek High School feeder pattern which also included Nolan Ryan Junior High and Dr. Ronald McNair Junior High in Pearland, Texas. He taught the Drumline at Shadow Creek High School and Front Ensemble at Clear Springs High School during their 2021 and 2022 marching seasons respectively.

Tim is currently student teaching at Clear Brook High School and Brookside Intermediate School awaiting graduation from the University of Houston in May 2023.

This upcoming school year, Mr. Turnley is excited to join the team at Woodridge Forest Middle School and West Fork High School in New Caney ISD!

Performer

As a performer, Tim has performed in venues across the United States with the Keller High School Band/Choir the “Spirit of Houston” Marching Band, and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. These venues include but are not limited to: the Alamodome in San Antonio, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. His favorite venue so far has been the streets of New York during the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

More recently, Tim has performed with the UH Moores School of Music Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and PANtagonist Steel Band. He has also played drumset for various Houston area churches such as FBC Texas City, FUMC Dickinson, and was the lead drummer for the UH BSM Worship Band for the 2020-2021 school year.

Tim was proud to serve as Section Leader for the 2022 Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps Front Ensemble.

Teaching Values

Student-Centered

My goal as a teacher is to provide students with as many positive musical experience as I can throughout their 6 years of band. Their development as musicians should also reflect their development as responsible and kind-hearted people.

Students need to feel accepted for who they are and see themselves as a vital part of the band program. Through this, students can invest more of their time and energy into bettering themselves and the ensemble as a whole. Every single student matters.

The health and safety of my students is always at the forefront of every decision I make. I tailor all of my curriculum in 6th-8th grade to better fundamental skills and techniques that upperclassmen appear to struggle with the most.

I understand the importance of good grades in relation to UIL and post-high school events. I will help students make a plan and get the help they need.

Fundamentals-Based

Rome was not built in a day, and neither will student technique and sound quality. I prioritize the development of technique from day one of 6th grade through the last day of senior year. Most percussion techniques are transferrable between instruments and allow for consistency of sound regardless of performance setting.

In all of my classrooms, I utilize Frank Chapple's "The Packet" as my go-to method book. Students learn fundamental rhythms, stickings, and scales from this book in 6th grade and continue to develop, add variations, and expand their "musical tool belt" with it until they graduate from the program. For supplemental materials, I often turn to Mark Wessels' "A Fresh Approach to..." series and other exercises that I have written out over the last few years.

Continuous Learning

I may be a percussion specialist, but I love learning new things! Recently, I've experimented a lot with trombone and flute but enjoy playing the clarinet the most. I'm more than happy getting out of my comfort zone and not only playing these instruments, but also teaching fundamental techniques for them as well. Pictured above is my very limited experience with string technique and pedagogy but it sure is fun to try!

For my students, I like to emphasize the importance of learning new skills, techniques, and hobbies to encourage uncomfortability inside and outside of the music classroom. By pushing boundaries, they're more likely to be exposed to meaningful musical experiences and maybe find a new interest along the way!

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