Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Organizational Leadership and Assessment
FACULTY GOVERNANCE — Chapman University
Noteworthy Performances (as Music Director)
Conducting Positions
Guest Conducting And Clinician
Conference Presentations
Major Publications and Writings
Awards
References
Timeline
Generic

Robert Frelly

Yorba Linda,CA

Summary

Dynamic music education leader with extensive experience at Chapman University, excelling in curriculum development and data analysis. Proven track record in fostering collaboration and enhancing community engagement. Demonstrated success in fostering inclusive environments and implementing strategic initiatives that elevate educational quality, artistic growth, and operational efficiency. Skilled in performance management and artistic vision, driving program success through innovative strategies.

Overview

42
42
years of professional experience

Work History

Co-Chair, Committee on Accreditation

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Sacramento, CA
07.2017 - Current
  • Represent Institutions of Higher Education in accreditation decision-making processes.
  • Committee Member October 2013 - present.
  • Develop accreditation policies and procedures for ongoing evaluation of programs.
  • Prepare presentations for the Commission, summarizing key points from COA meetings.
  • Conduct institutional reviews to ensure compliance with California educator preparedness standards.
  • Determine the initial accreditation of educator preparation programs submitted by eligible institutions.
  • Consider continuing accreditation of programs.
  • Determine the comparability of national or alternative program standards with California standards of educator preparation.

Lead Trainer and Assessor in Music

California Teacher Performance Assessment
Sacramento, CA
08.2016 - Current
  • Member of CalTPA Design Team
  • Created rubrics to evaluate student performance in educational settings.
  • Reviewed assessment results, identified trends and recommended changes as needed.
  • Assisted with the design of surveys, tests, quizzes and other forms of assessments.
  • Identified areas of improvement in existing assessment practices and procedures.
  • Conducted training sessions on assessment techniques, tools and processes.
  • Developed assessment plans and strategies to ensure compliance with standards.
  • Developed assessment and testing protocols for clients, facilitated and administered assessment activities, reviewed test metrics and recommended strategies to enhance performance.

Interim Director of Bands

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
08.2023 - 05.2025
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive music education and performance curriculum.
  • Facilitated stakeholder communication, enhancing collaboration within band program.
  • Led rehearsals and performances for Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
  • Created and managed annual budget to ensure fiscal responsibility.
  • Evaluated student progress through assessments, feedback, and grading methods.
  • Selected appropriate music repertoire for all ensembles to meet educational objectives.
  • Implemented policies to improve operational efficiency across band program activities.
  • Taught advanced conducting techniques to enhance student skills.

Director of Music Education, Professor of Music

Chapman University, College of Performing Arts
Orange, CA
08.1993 - 01.2025
  • Executed strategies to drive efficiency and enhance operational processes.
  • Fostered interdepartmental collaboration by promoting open communication channels.
  • Led strategic planning efforts, aligning Conservatory of Music goals with broader institutional objectives.
  • Chaired and served on various committees to drive policy development and strategic initiatives.
  • Designed Master of Arts in Teaching Music as a 4 + 1 program.
  • Consistently maintained 100% placement of graduates seeking full-time teaching employment.
  • Developed assessment tools to monitor student learning outcomes effectively.
  • Conducted meetings with department heads to evaluate strategic initiative progress.
  • Cultivated an inclusive campus culture supporting diversity and equity.
  • Provided advisement, mentorship, and support to students.
  • Identified optimization opportunities through detailed data analysis and reporting.

Consultant

Orange County Department of Education, VAPA
Costa Mesa, CA
08.2021 - 06.2024
  • Identified improvement areas to guide decision-makers in implementing necessary changes.
  • Analyzed key performance indicators to determine effective strategies for program enhancement.
  • Enhanced articulation of secondary to post-secondary arts programs to strengthen college readiness.
  • Promoted visibility and awareness of post-secondary arts programs in Orange County to benefit student preparation and institutional collaboration.

Music Director and Conservatory Dean

Southern California Youth Philharmonic
Placentia, CA
03.1983 - 08.2020
  • Founded and directed comprehensive music program, including symphony orchestra, multiple ensembles, choir and theory classes.
  • Created policies for faculty evaluation and student learning outcomes assessment.
  • Managed departmental resources to ensure compliance with institutional policies.
  • Facilitated meetings with faculty, staff, and students to review program goals.
  • Oversaw recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of faculty members.
  • Monitored administrative tasks, personnel, and budget adherence across departments.
  • Cultivated inclusive environment promoting diversity among students and staff.
  • Engaged in community outreach to enhance institutional visibility and engagement.

Music Director and Conductor

La Mirada Symphony
La Mirada, CA
07.2010 - 06.2013
  • Scheduled and led all rehearsals and performances, ensuring smooth execution of seven events per season.
  • Supervised mixing and mastering processes during post-production to achieve optimal sound quality.
  • Developed and implemented musical programs for community events, enhancing local engagement.
  • Assisted in marketing campaigns for productions, increasing audience reach and participation.
  • Prepared annual music budget with President for leadership review, facilitating effective financial planning.
  • Provided insights on planning, programming, and budgeting as an active music committee contributor.

Director of Bands

Chapman University
Orange, CA
08.1993 - 05.2008
  • Led University Wind Ensemble and University Chamber Winds during rehearsals, performances, and tours (regional, national and international)
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive music education and performance programs for band.
  • Evaluated student progress through assessments, feedback, and grading.
  • Created annual budget for band program, ensuring financial sustainability.
  • Coordinated fundraising efforts to enhance financial resources for band program.
  • Researched grants from public and private sources to meet band program needs.
  • Scheduled performances, rehearsals, competitions, and events for band program.
  • Maintained relationships with school administration, students, parents, and community partners.

Associate Conductor

Long Beach Symphony
Long Beach, CA
08.1998 - 05.2001
  • Facilitated artistic development initiatives for orchestra to enhance overall performance quality.
  • Assisted Music Director with various tasks to support program execution.
  • Conducted assigned concerts, ensuring high standards of musical delivery.
  • Presented engaging speaking engagements within community to promote orchestra activities.
  • Participated in Artistic Planning Committee providing planning, programming and budget input to strategize future programming.

Music Director and Conductor, Community Orchestra

University of Southern California, USC
Los Angeles, CA
12.1990 - 05.1995
  • Led all rehearsals ane performances.
  • Developed and implemented musical programs for community events.
  • Presented engaging speaking engagements within community to promote orchestra activities.
  • Analyzed feedback from audience members to improve future shows.

Education

DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS - Music Education

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
05.1994

MASTER OF MUSIC - Instrumental Conducting

California State University at Long Beach
Long Beach, California
06.1991

BACHELOR OF MUSIC - Composition

Chapman University
Orange, California
05.1983

BACHELOR OF MUSIC - Music Education

Chapman University
Orange, California
05.1982

Skills

  • Curriculum development and assessment
  • Data analysis and evaluation
  • Performance management
  • Community engagement
  • Artistic vision
  • Instrumental expertise
  • Collaboration

Organizational Leadership and Assessment

NATIONAL

League of American Orchestras (LAO)

       •     Member, Director's Council, 2003 - Present

       •     Youth Orchestra Division, Chairman, 1999 - 2003

       •     Various leadership roles, 1994 - 2003

STATE

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

       •     Committee on Accreditation

                 - Co-Chair, 2017 to Current

                 - Member, 2014 - 2017 

                 - Board of Institutional Review, 2010 - 2014

                     • Site Team Lead, Site Team Reviewer, Member

California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)

       •     Music Content Expert, 2017 to Current

       •     Panel Member for development of the TPA, 2017

       •     Leader/Facilitator, Faculty Workshops, 2019 to Current

       •     Lead Assessor and Trainer in Music, 2017 to Current

Arts for All Higher Education Initiative Think Tank

        •     Member, 2010 - 2011

   Association of California Symphony Orchestras

        •     Board Member, 2002 - 2007       

Arts for All Task Force

        •     Member, 1998 - 2002

CMEA: The California Association for Music Education

       •     Executive Officer of the Board, 2011 - 2004

California Coalition for Music Education

       •     Secretary, 1998 - 2002 

       •     University Representative, Chapman University, 1995 - 2002

California Coalition for Music Education

       •     Member, 1998 - 2002

REGIONAL

California Baptist University, College of Performing Arts

       • Program Review of School of Music, 2003

CMEA/Southern Section 

       •     Immediate Past-President, 2004 - 2006   

       •     President, 2001 - 2004

       •     President-elect, 1999 - -2001

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Chair

       •     Chapman University Conservatory of Music, 2005, 2021

       •     Southern California Youth Philharmonic, 2017, 2011, 2005, 2000, 1993

       •     Southern California Philharmonic, 2008

       •     League of American Orchestras, Youth Orchestra Division, 2003

Member

       •     League of American Orchestras, 2005 

       •     Association of California Symphony Orchestras, 2007

 

FACULTY GOVERNANCE — Chapman University

UNIVERSITY-WIDE

Chair

       •     University Research and Development Council 

       •     WASC Diversity Committee

       •     University Academic Advising Committee

       •     University Defining and Infrastructure Group

Member

       •     Faculty Personnel Council

       •     University Graduate Council

       •     Faculty Research and Development Council

       •     Undergraduate Admissions Committee

       •     Academic Council

       •     WASC Program Assessment Committee

       •     Faculty Executive Committee

       •     Faculty Personnel

       •     Faculty Senate

       •     WASC Steering Committee

       •     Advising Task Force

       •     Student Standards Committee

COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS

Chair

       • Full Professor Review Committee

       • Faculty Review Committee

CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Chair

       •     Strategic Planning Committee

       •     Committee on Promotion and Tenure

       •     Community Outreach Committee

       •     Various Search Committees

Noteworthy Performances (as Music Director)

INTERNATIONAL 

        •     Salzburg Music Festival, Salzburg, Austria, 2009, 2004, 2003

        •     Czech Museum of Music, Prague, Czech Republic, 2009

        •     Forbidden City Concert Hall, Beijing, 2008

        •     Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, 2007, 2006

        •     Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Chicago, IL, 1995

NATIONAL

        •     Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, 2017

        •     Freedom Festival, Buffalo, NY, 1999

        •     MENC: National Association for Music Education 61st National Biennial Conference, 2008 (invitation)

STATE

        •     CMEA: The California Association for Music Education State Conference, 2025, 2007, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1997

        •     Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 2019, 2016, 2015

        •      Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Annually 2007 - 2019

        •      Imagination Celebration of OC, 2006, 2002    

        •      Orange County Performing Arts Center, 1997

PERFORMANCE TOURS

        •     England, Ireland, 2012

        •     Greece, France, Turkey, 2010 

        •     Austria, Czech Republic, 2009

        •     China, 2008

        •     Australia, New Zealand, 2007, 2006 

        •     Italy, Austria, 2004

        •     Germany, Austria, Switzerland, 2003

        •     Canada, 1999

        •     France, England, 1995

        •     Multiple tours with Chapman University Wind Symphony and CBU Wind Ensemble

Conducting Positions

  • Artistic Director and Conductor, Southern California Youth Philharmonic, 1993 - 2000
  • Artistic Director of Orchestras, Perform International, Perform America and Perform Texas, 2017 - 2019
  • Music Director and Conductor, La Mirada Symphony Orchestra, La Mirada, CA, 2011 = 2014
  • Artistic Director and Festival Conductor, Festival of Orchestras, London, England, 2012
  • Staff Conductor and Cello Coach, National High School Honors Orchestra, 2010
  • Artistic Director and Festival Conductor, Tale of Two Cities Orchestra Festival, Vienna, Prague, Austria, Czech Republic, 2009
  • Artistic Director and Festival Conductor, A Salute to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Beijing, Shanghai, China, 2008
  • Staff Conductor, Orchestrating Sydney, Sydney, Australia, 2007, 2006
  • Music Director and Conductor, Southern California Philharmonic, Yorba Linda, CA, 2006 - 2011
  • Associate Conductor, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach, CA, 1990 - 1994
  • Music Director and Conductor, University of Southern California Community Orchestra, Los Angeles, CA, 1990 - 1995

Guest Conducting And Clinician

  • Kavilia Music Conservatory, Athens, Greece, 2010
  • Benda Chamber Orchestra, Prague, Czech Republic, 2009
  • Orange Regional Conservatorium, New South Wales, Australia, 2007
  • Illinois Music Educators Association Honor Orchestra, Peoria, IL, 2005
  • Alabama Orchestra Association Honor Orchestra, Florence, AL, 2003
  • Various district honor bands and orchestras
  • Frequent clinician and adjudicator

Conference Presentations

INTERNATIONAL 

        •     One Voice International Conference, Houston, Texas, 2011

        •     Conference on Arts and Humanities, Oahu, HI, 2010

NATIONAL

        •     League of American Orchestras, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997

        •     MENC: The National Association for Music Education, 2000

STATE

        •     CASMEC: California All-State Music Education Conference, 2025, 2023

        •     Association of California Symphony Orchestras, 2007, 2005, 2004

        •     CMEA: The California Association for Music Education, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

Major Publications and Writings

  • CalTPA (California Teacher Performance Assessment) Program Implementation Guide, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Contributing Author, 2019
  • California Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (VAPA CFCC), 2019
  • Journal of Educational Research, Music Reviewer, 2018 to Current
  • California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Response to Standards, 06/11, 07/99
  • Upbeat, Editor (national music publication), 1996-1998

Awards

  • Artist and Arts Educator of the Year, Arts Orange County, 2011
  • Chapman University Faculty Member of the Year, Chapman University, 2008
  • Subito Grant, American Composers Forum, 2008
  • American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, 2000, 1999, 1998

References

Dr Joseph Bolin

Dean, College of Performing Arts

California Baptist University

951-343-4714

jbolin@calbaptist.edu

.

Dr Frank Frisch

Professor

Former Chair of the Faculty Senate

Chapman University

714-997-6667

frisch@chapman.edu

.

Erin Sullivan

Director, Professional Services Division

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

916-445-7912

esulllivan@ctc.ca.gov

Timeline

Interim Director of Bands

California Baptist University
08.2023 - 05.2025

Consultant

Orange County Department of Education, VAPA
08.2021 - 06.2024

Co-Chair, Committee on Accreditation

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
07.2017 - Current

Lead Trainer and Assessor in Music

California Teacher Performance Assessment
08.2016 - Current

Music Director and Conductor

La Mirada Symphony
07.2010 - 06.2013

Associate Conductor

Long Beach Symphony
08.1998 - 05.2001

Director of Music Education, Professor of Music

Chapman University, College of Performing Arts
08.1993 - 01.2025

Director of Bands

Chapman University
08.1993 - 05.2008

Music Director and Conductor, Community Orchestra

University of Southern California, USC
12.1990 - 05.1995

Music Director and Conservatory Dean

Southern California Youth Philharmonic
03.1983 - 08.2020

DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS - Music Education

University of Southern California

MASTER OF MUSIC - Instrumental Conducting

California State University at Long Beach

BACHELOR OF MUSIC - Composition

Chapman University

BACHELOR OF MUSIC - Music Education

Chapman University

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