Franklin Piland (b. 1990, he/him) is an American Indian conductor of wind bands, an active music educator, and a composer of contemporary music. Piland serves on the faculty of Lake View High School in San Angelo, Texas as Director of Bands.
Franklin earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (Winds and Percussion) from Eastern New Mexico University in 2013 and his Master of Music in Music Composition from The University of Texas at Austin in 2016. He has minors and special studies in music composition, music technology, and wind band conducting.
Piland remains active in many diverse facets of the music industry, including composition, education, performance, administration, production, rehearsing/directing, coaching, and clinic-ing ensembles, music, or directors seeking mentorship. Despite all of his numerous obligations and responsibilities, Franklin is a lover of tennis, painting, and Batman (though oddly enough he has yet to paint Batman playing tennis).
HONORS & AWARDS
- Honorable Mention, U.S. Naval Academy Band’s Inaugural “Call for Scores Composition Competition,” “Flourishes and Mechanations” for Brass Choir and Percussion (2023)
- Grant Writer / Recipient, Peter R. Marsh Foundation, $1,500 (2022, 2023)
- Grant Writer / Recepient, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, approx. $50,000 (2023)
- Teacher Kindness Award, East Austin College Prep (2017)
- ATSSB Composition Competition finalist, “Somnia Mortem” for Band (2012)
- John Philip Sousa Award (2007, 2008)
MEMBERSHIPS
- Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandsmen (KKY)
- International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA)
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
- Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA)
- College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA)
- American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)