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 Floydada Collegiate ISD in Floydada, Texas and South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. He conducts the Floydada Band ensembles and instructs secondary and college music education courses for grades 6-12 in Floydada, and is an associate conductor, board member, performer, and Librarian of the Lubbock Concert Band in Lubbock, Texas. Additionally, he performs with the Lubbock Civic Orchestra as the ensemble’s longest appointed tubist.
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). He currently resides in Texas with his husband Alex and his two dogs, King and Nakia.
HONORS & AWARDS
Grant Writer / Recipient, Peter R. Marsh Foundation, $1,500 (2022, 2023)
Grant Writer / Recepient, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, approx. $50,000 (2023)
ATSSB Composition Competition finalist, “Somnia Mortem” for Band (2012)
Teacher Kindness Award, East Austin College Prep (2017)
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)