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About Me
About Me
Timothy Turnley is a Percussion Performer and Educator from Keller, Texas but currently resides in Houston, Texas with his fiance, Katelynn. In their free time, they enjoy kayaking, fishing, gaming, running, and spending time with their pets!
Tim’s professional affiliations includes the Texas Music Educators Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and the Percussive Arts Society – Texas Chapter
Educator
Timothy Turnley is currently in his third year as a Percussion Director in the West Fork High School feeder pattern including one year as an Assistant Band Director at Woodridge Forest Middle School. Before teaching full-time, he was proud to serve as a Student Teacher and Front Ensemble Technician at Clear Brook High School, as well as an Assistant Percussion Director at Shadow Creek High School.
Before opening up West Fork High School, Tim was fortunate to work as a technician and clinician with several schools who helped shape him as an educator, but more importantly, as a person. Some of these schools include but are not limited to: Clear Springs High School, Keller High School, and Allen High School.
Realizing the importance of consistent instruction and curriculum, Tim often composes and pieces together large projects to better serve his students and community. This includes pad jams, a front ensemble method book, and some percussion ensembles in the works!
In the Fall of 2026, Tim will also be releasing a 6th grade curriculum entitled "On Our Own Time" with friend and New Caney HS Percussion Director, Mr. Matt Anderson.
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.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2023 from the University of Houston. During his time there, he performed in the Wind Ensemble under David Bertman, the Symphony Orchestra under Franz Krager, and the Percussion Ensemble and PANtagonist Steel Band under Blake Wilkins and Alec Warren.
In 2022, he was proud to serve as the Front Ensemble Section Leader for the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, Texas. His contributions to corps procedures and communication standards earned him the “Director’s Award” from the corps administration at the conclusion of the summer.
Tim also enjoys playing drumset and timpani for local churches and accompanying choirs at every concert possible.
Teaching Values
Teaching Values
Student-Centered
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
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
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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