One of the newest additions to the Bolles teaching staff is the new drumline teacher, Mr. Staples. Bolles’s drumline is known for its mental strength and the fact that it works extremely hard. 

The Bolles drumline began last year in 2023. This year’s drumline, with the new support from Staples, has been even more ambitious than last year’s, because they now perform at football games and other sporting events. The members are disciplined and focused no matter the event, whether it’s on the sideline during a football game or performing in front of the whole school during ceremonies and convictions in Davis Gym. 

Staples was inspired to pursue music because he “always had a passion for music because he was raised in a family of musicians and educators.” Before Bolles, he worked in other music programs for schools in Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties.

Staples cares very deeply for both his students and the art of music. “My favorite part of teaching is seeing when a player finds their passion for percussion and enhances their drive to learn more,” he said. This is the kind of person Staples is. He started working with local high school drumlines in 2003. As of 2024, he has not taught any other subjects. 

“I am looking forward to creating a percussion culture within the Music Program that supports the Arts and Athletics experience,” Staples said. 

Even though he just joined the Bolles community at the start of the school year, it appears that he has already found his place. “My hope is that each player gains the passion to continue learning and performing percussion at the next level,” he said. 

With discipline, large periods of practice, and hard work, Mr. Staples aims to give each and every single one of his students the ability and opportunity to display their hard-earned skills and perform at a higher and more advanced level than before.

He wants to fuel his students with that same passion and energy that he has about music because it will turn them into even better musicians than they were before.