Biography

Bill Chapman has created a career in music both in performance and in teaching that has allowed him to showcase his raw talent and natural ability, share his passion and excitement for the art, and also shape and shake up the local music scene.

Chapman is a musician, but he is also a dedicated teacher, director, and conductor. Through collaboration, Chapman has garnered the attention of established musicians in the field. He has worked to make music that he calls "powerful and inspiring." Chapman says that collaboration is so powerful because in jazz it's never the same song twice. In 2007, Chapman experienced this first-hand while teaming up with John Medeski of Medeski, Martin and Wood on a commissioned work for Nickelodeon as part of the Pittsfield Jazz Festival, in Pittsfield, MA. Chapman has worked with several established musicians, and through his own performance, he has gained the respect of renowned musicians including Tom Gauger, of The Boston Symphony and Boston Pops.

Gauger said: "Having heard a lot of drummers during my 42 years as a percussionist in the Boston Pops, including Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Steve Gadd... I'm having a lot of fun listening to other drummers who may not be so well known but have a lot of promis... [Chapman] is a master at cross-rhythms, has many sounds, and a good feel for Latntunes... played nice solos but he never got in the way... he was never overpowering, and was always tasty as he added texture to some great tunes. Probably the best attribute is his natural character that came out in his playing... something that not every drummer has. He was having a good time, and so did we"

Chapman's resume is varied and includes extensive experience playing with local musicians and ensembles, and with national and international groups as well, but it is not limited to performance. In fact, much of Chapman's music career has been spent teaching. He is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, where he teaches Percussion and Jazz Drumset. In September of 2008, Chapman accepted a new position teaching middle school and high school music in North Adams, MA. Chapman also hosts several students at his home studio where he teaches private drum lessons.

Prior to his position in North Adams, from 2002 until fall of 2008, Chapman was the Band Director at Taconic High School, in Pittsfield, MA, where he directed the high school marching band, concert band, pep band, jazz ensemble, and woodwind ensemble. He also taught instrumental lessons at both the high school and elementary school level. As a director and teacher he was responsible for planning and teaching lessons, communication with parents and students, and community involvement including coordinating performances, public relations, and fundraising.

Between 1998 and 2002, Chapman was a percussion instructor at Performance Music, in Westfield, MA, where he taught private lessons to beginner and professional students. In 2001, he was a Music Educator for the Agawam Middle School summer band camp, in Agawam, MA. Chapman has also taught at the Berkshire Community College Summer Music Program, in Pittsfield, MA, and he is the Jazz Ensemble Instructor for the Berkshire Music School, also in Pittsfield, a position he has held since 2005.

By day, Chapman is the consummate teacher inspiring children and young adults with some of the same beats, melodies, and rhythms that drew him deep into music when he was a young musician. But, by night, Chapman truly comes to life and his passion for performance is evident when he is on stage. Chapman has established himself as a member of the music community and he regularly performs throughout the Northeast as a jazz drummer and percussionist with several local jazz groups and other nationally recognized groups and premiere musicians including Rolf Smedvig and the Empire Brass, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra known for several of Frank Sinatra's arrangements, the Rat Pack including impersonators from Las Vegas, and The Bob Newhart Comedy Tour starring Bob Newhart.

Chapman has also had the opportunity to showcase his talents performing with several local theaters including the Williamstown Theater Festival's Summer 2008 performances of She Loves Me, Cabaret Shows at the WTF, the Berkshire Theater Festival's 2007 performance of The Wizard of Oz, and at The Theater Barn, in New Lebanon, NY, where he performed musical accompaniment for several theatrical events. Chapman was also a featured soloist in the Berkshire County Drum Expo held at Berkshire Community College.

Although he is a teacher and experienced performer, Chapman still takes the time to be a student. He recently completed his Masters Degree in Music from Westfield State College and developed a drumset curriculum for his drum students during his coursework. Chapman currently studies drums under Billy Martin, from Medeski, Martin & Wood, and has also studied with Joe Morello, from the Dave Brubeck Quartet; and Peter Coutsouridis from Westfield State College.

Bill Chapman lives in North Adams, Massachusetts, with his wife, Mindy, and their son Bradley.

© 2009 Bill Chapman | Design by Encore Design