Chamberlain High School Bands 2018-2019 

HOME OF THE CHIEFS   9401 North Boulevard, Tampa, Florida  33612                                                             

MEET OUR STAFF

Amanda R. Griffis - Director of Bands

Mrs. Griffis is a native of North Carolina where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  The university's School of Music is recognized as one of the top music institutions in the United States.  During her time there, she performed with multiple ensembles including Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Flute Choir and Percussion Ensemble.  Mrs. Griffis began her teaching career in Jacksonville, Florida where her concert band earned their first Superior rating in over a decade.
During her time in Tampa, she has earned the honor of being a presenter at the 2017 Florida Music Educators Conference in Tampa.  The ensembles at Chamberlain High School earn consistent high marks at all music performance assessments including Marching, Concert and Solo & Ensemble. Under Mrs. Griffis, students at CHS are challenged and gain experience in different musical areas  including Marching Band, Percussion Techniques, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and AP Music Theory. While teaching at Chamberlain, Mrs. Griffis is  currently  pursuing her Master of Music Education at Florida State University.
Assistant Band Director - Antoinette IIias

Brass/Visual Technician - Oscar Gonzalez 


Known for his love and passion for the tuba, Oscar is the newest addition to the Chamberlain Band of the Mighty Chiefs as the brass technician. 


Oscar is a graduate of Gaither High School and is attending The University Of Tampa to study Music Education and minor in Business. Oscar has field experience in a hefty supply of musical mediums - marching band, jazz band and wind ensemble. His most recent performances with Gaither's Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble received the highest possible marks at state MPA. 


As an active musician in the Tampa area, Oscar has been a part of the All-County Honor Band for the past three years, earning second chair for two years and first chair most recently, he's participated in Festival of Winds and Bay Winds for all four years and received multiple high marks at District 7 Solo & Ensemble.  

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Guard Instructor - 

Percussion Technician - Daniel Melendez 


Daniel earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Florida's Music Flagship Program under the direction of Charlotte Mabrey.  While attending, Daniel was a member of the UNF Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Percussion Ensemble.  In addition, Daniel participated in the 2013 Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar featuring lectures, master classes, and concerts from world renowned marimbists such as Leigh Howard Stevens, Michael Burritt, Bob Becker, Gordon Stout, and Kevin Bobo.


Professionally, Daniel pursues a career as a private music educator, composer, and music arranger.  Daniel’s musical arrangements have been featured in Allen D. Nease High School’s 2012-2015 marching band shows, indoor percussion's 2013-2015 shows, and J.P. Taravella High School’s 2015-2016 marching band shows.

In 2016, Daniel’s started Dexterity Music, LLC expanding his private lesson studio servicing middle and high school band programs in the Hillsborough County area.


Daniel is currently the percussion caption head, front ensemble coordinator, and percussion arranger at Chamberlain High School.

Notable Chamberlain Alumni Volunteers:


  • Landon Purvis, USF HOT Band


  • Lindsey Corcho, UF Gator Marching Band

 

“Music, of all the arts, stands in a special region, unlit by any star but its own, and utterly without meaning ... except its own.”
― Leonard Bernstein, The Joy of Music