Frank Perez

Director of Bands
Instructor of Music, Low Brass

Frank Perez Jr. is a native of San Diego, CA.  He has recently been appointed as the Director of Bands and Instructor of Low Brass at Graceland University.  His principle conducting duties include directing the Symphonic Band, athletic Pep Band and Jazz Band.  In addition, Mr. Perez also teaches a course in Music Education.  Prior to Graceland he served as a graduate teaching assistant and recipient of the Russell L. Wiley scholarship in conducting at the University of Kansas.  His duties included assisting with the KU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, University Band, Marching Jayhawks, and Trombone Choir, and he was the director of the Women’s Basketball Band.  Mr. Perez has also enjoyed eight years of successful high school teaching in Southern California.  His groups earned numerous awards and superior ratings at both district and regional festivals.  He remains active as a band clinician and adjudicator.  In 2001 he presented a lecture in music technology and served as a clinician for the California Music Educator’s State Conference.  Frank has been honored by Who’s Who Among American Teachers, Who’s Who In America, Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lamda Honor Fraternities and Blue Key National Honor Society.  He has studied conducting with Dr. Scott Weiss, Tom Stidham, Hans Beer and John Barnett, and he attended seminars with Eugene Corporon, Dennis Fisher, Jack Stamp, John Maltester, William Wakefield and Victor Markovich.  

In addition to conducting Mr. Perez has performed as a professional trombonist with ensembles such as the La Jolla Symphony, L.A. Guild Opera, L.A. Symphonic Camerata, Southeast Symphony, Golden State British Brass Band, Arlene and the Gang Big Band, Bones West, KU Wind Ensemble and KU Trombone Choir.  Frank has recorded with Bones West, USC Big Band, and recently for the NAXOS label with the KU Wind Ensemble (principal trombone).  He studied trombone with Jim Prindle, Ira Nepus, Terry S. Cravens, Carl Lenthe and Michael Davidson.

In addition to being a freelance musician and clinician, Frank also runs a business dedicated to on-location recording, website design and Macintosh consulting.