Purdue News

February 7, 1992 Leppla Named Director Of University Bands WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. – David A. Leppla has been appointed director of university bands at Purdue University, effective immediately. His appointment was ratified Friday (2/7) by the Purdue Board of Trustees. Leppla has been acting director since August, succeeding Frank Stubbs, who resigned to become general manager of the Plymouth Music Series in Minneapolis. Leppla, assistant professor of bands, joined the Purdue Bands staff in 1989 as director of the "All-American" Marching Band. He will continue in that position, along with being musical arranger for the marching band and conductor of the Purdue Concert Band. "We are pleased to be able to return to Purdue Bands' traditional and proven structure of having our director of university bands also lead our best-known performing unit, the 'All-American' Marching Band," said Richard E. Grace, Purdue vice president for student services. "Dr. Leppla brings superb credentials to this position with his skills as an administrator, music educator and marching-band director." Born in Cleveland, Leppla was raised in the Dayton, Ohio, suburb of Vandalia, Ohio. He holds three degrees in music education: a master's and doctorate from the Ohio State University and a bachelor's from the University of Dayton. Prior to coming to Purdue, Leppla taught and was graduate assistant director of Ohio State's Marching Band and Concert Band, and co-conductor of the University Band. From 1972-85 he was a music director at Ohio grade schools and high schools. His professional affiliations include memberships in the Music Educators National Conference, Indiana Music Education Association, Indiana Bandmasters Association, The Conductor's Guild, College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, National Band Association and North American Brass Band Association. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu