Bentley Shellahamer
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Bentley Shellahamer earned both the Bachelor of Music Education degree (1966), and the Master’s of Music Education degree (1970) from the Florida State University. He earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education at the Ohio State University (1984). Dr. Shellahamer was an active researcher in the field of teaching behaviors, is co-author of a widely used textbook on marching band techniques, and maintains an active schedule of adjudicating and guest conducting throughout the United States. He has taught in London, England, and in Valencia, Spain. He is the founder and conductor emeritus of the Tallahassee Winds, a 75 member adult concert band. In 2004, he led this group on a highly successful concert tour of Australia, culminating in a concert in the famed Sydney Opera House with guest conductor Eric Whitacre. During his teaching career, he served in various capacities in the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Florida Music Educators Association.
Dr. Bentley Shellahamer retired in 2006 from the Florida State University where he served on the faculty for twenty-nine years. He held the position of Assistant Dean for the College of Music for eighteen years, and prior to that, was director of the Marching Chiefs and Associate Conductor of Bands. Prior to joining the faculty at Florida State University, Dr. Shellahamer was director of bands at James Rickards High School in Tallahassee, Florida, for five years, and was director of bands at Piper High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for six years.
