Chipley, Florida’s Band Director Richard Davenport to be Inducted into Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame

Long-time Chipley High School Band Director Richard Davenport will be inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame.  Davenport received the news in January while attending the annual Florida Music Education Association Conference in Tampa. He was one of two individuals named to the honor and will be recognized during a ceremony at Stetson University in mid-November.

Founded in 1990, the FBA Hall of Fame was designed to recognize and honor those Florida band directors who have obtained the highest level of accomplishment both as a musician and as a teacher, and to help preserve the history of Florida bands. Since its inception, only 56 people have been tapped for this honor. 

Davenport served as the Director of Bands at Chipley High School from 1999 until his retirement in 2022. His passion for teaching music continues in his present position as Assistant Professor of Music at the Baptist University of Florida in Graceville. He is humble about his accomplishments and cares far more about the many students he has taught. “My students are why I love teaching, and getting to teach them life skills through band make my job even better.  I’ve always believed it is my calling to help my students realize their potential through music,” he said. “Their success is why the Chipley band program has a reputation for excellence.”

Davenport credits the Chipley Band’s history of success to the students, parents, school staff, and administration. Together, they worked to maintain the program’s  now 30-year streak of consecutive Superior ratings at District Marching and Concert Band Assessments. During Davenport’s tenure at CHS, the band also earned the coveted Otto Krushaur and Lewis Jones Awards for achieving Superior ratings at the State level. He was recognized twice as Chipley High School Teacher of the Year, and the 2015 Washington County Schools Teacher of the Year. But Davenport says his most coveted memories as a teacher are the many moments during rehearsals and performances watching his students achieve not only their goals, but witnessing the pure joy of their making great music together. 

In addition to his 35-year teaching career, Davenport is an active band clinician and adjudicator across the region. Throughout his career, he has served many leadership roles with the Florida Bandmasters, including serving as FBA President. In January 2024, at the urging of several of his former students, Davenport formed the Northwest Florida Community Band. The all-volunteer group made up of music-loving instrumentalists of all ages from Chipley and the surrounding area who enjoy playing and performing in a concert band setting. 

“I could not have experienced any success as a music educator without God’s leadership, my supportive family, and all of my incredible students” said Davenport.  “They are my real Hall of Famers.”

Davenport’s induction into the FBA Hall of Fame will take place on November 15, 2025.