Mr. Caplinger was born and raised in Elkins. He attended the schools of Randolph County graduating from Elkins High School with the Class of 1981. While attending EHS, he was a member of the jazz band, concert band and was Drum Major of the marching band. Following graduation, Mr. Caplinger attended Davis and Elkins College majoring in history and political science. While serving as an instructor with the Elkins Junior High School Band he was encouraged by EJHS director Jack Basil, to change majors and transfer to West Virginia University. While attending WVU, Mr. Caplinger majored in Music Education and was a member of the jazz ensemble, pep band, wind ensemble, concert band, the Mountaineer Marching Band, "The Pride of West Virginia" and was a conducting student of Don Wilcox. In addition, he was a member of the Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, band fraternity and an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, band sorority. While a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Mr. Caplinger chaired the "Amerithon" fundraiser for the Mountaineer Band. This fundraiser netted over $50,000 for the "Pride of West Virginia".
In 1988, Mr. Caplinger graduated from Fairmont State College with a BA in Music Education. While at FSC, he was a staff member for the Falcon Marching Band and performed with the jazz ensemble, concert band, percussion ensemble, and orchestra. During his tenure at FSC, Mr. Caplinger colonized and became the founding father of the Theta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He was also honored as Outstanding FSC Bandsman of the Year in 1987. Following a student teaching assignment at Bridgeport High School and college graduation, Mr. Caplinger took his first teaching job in Preston County, WV.
As Director of Bands at East Preston High School, Mr. Caplinger took over a struggling program of 20 band students in a rural area of Terra Alta. In addition to the marching band, he taught; concert band, jazz ensemble, junior high band, and elementary band. By the end of the 1988-89 school year, the band had grown to 75 members. Mr. Caplinger then took a new job in Barbour County, WV.
From 1989-1997, Mr. Caplinger served as band director of the Philip Barbour High School Band and also chairman of the music department. While at Philip Barbour, he taught music appreciation, music theory, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, indoor percussion, indoor color guard, symphonic band, concert band, jazz ensemble, freshmen ensemble, pep band, concert chorus, advanced chorus and women's ensemble. During his tenure at PB, Mr. Caplinger was instrumental in bringing the Tournament of Bands (TOB) marching curcuit to central West Virginia. The 140 member "Pride of Barbour County" was one of the founding bands of TOB Chapter 8 and competed regularly throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. In the 8 years under Mr. Caplinger's direction, the PB Band won over 145 awards, was recognized as the West Virginia High Band of the Year for Academics 1994-1996 and received numerous superior ratings at the Regional Band Festival. In addition, the PB Music Department produced 10 All-State Band members, 46 WVU Honors Band members and 34 All-State Choir members. Mr. Caplinger was also involved in several non-musical activities. He was class advisor for the PB Class of 1992 and a 7 year advisor of the 120 member PB Key Club, having been recognized as an outstanding district advisor 5 times. He was named to the Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1990. Looking to return "home" and take on a new challenge, Mr. Caplinger accepted a new position in Randolph County in 1997.
As music instructor at Midland Elementary and Beverly Elementary, Mr. Caplinger had the opportunity to work with students K-5. Teaching general music classes and beginning band, he gained new insight into a well rounded music education curriculum. He also served as the 1999-2000 Midland Faculty Senate President.
In 2000, Mr. Caplinger became Director of Bands at Elkins High School. During his first tenure at Elkins High, band enrollment increased to 130 members. It was also during this time that the band qualified and attended it’s first TOB Atlantic Coast Championship. In 2001, the band adopted it’s current nickname the “Spirit of the Mountains” and set a new course for excellence. The band performed at Walt Disney World and in New York City for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade during Mr. Caplinger’s tenure. In addition, the band won over 50 awards which culminated in 2004 as the band won the Grand Championship at the WV Strawberry Festival. Along with his band duties, Mr. Caplinger taught Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Salsa Band. In 2004, the Jazz Ensemble and the EHS Chapter of IAJE (Interntional Association for Jazz Education) sponsored the first week long Jazz and World Music Festival. Mr. Caplinger also served as Music Director for 4 spring musicals including the smash "Grease".
Mr. Caplinger is very involved in the community as well as the school system. He has served as chairperson of the Forest Festival Band and Field Competition and has organized the Elkins High School Alumni Band. In addition, Mr. Caplinger serves as a music consultant for the group travel company; American Destinations, Inc. Active in many associations, Mr. Caplinger is a member of Elkins Kiwanis Club, West Virginia Bandmasters Association, West Virginia Music Educators Association, West Virginia Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, National Judges Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Honorary and the WVU Alumni Band Association. Mr. Caplinger and his wife Lisa are the parents of six children; Brandon, Greyson, Sydney, Aaron, Emily and Stephan. Mr. Caplinger is also an active music clinician, adjudicator and musician.
