Board Member Perry Ditch
Perry Ditch is currently the band director at White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Mr. Ditch graduated from East Carolina University 1986 and taught for 6 years in Brevard, N.C. In 1993 Mr. Ditch moved to White Oak High School and since then the program has grown from 68 members to 185 members. The bands he has directed have received numerous superior ratings and awards. He has been a guess clinician and adjudicator in Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. Ditch is also the director of all the Academies at White Oak High School. Recently his Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform in the New York City Jazz Festival.
He is driven by his philosophy that “Music Sounds like Life Feels”. The sounds that we make often can move people to feel the music. It is the journey that the ear takes when listening to the music that keeps the audience captive.
Mr. Ditch also loves using technology in his rehearsals. He has given several clinics on using technology in the classroom. Methods of rehearsal that engage the student and keep them learning about music are a key ingredient in his rehearsals.
On June 2, 2017 the White Oak High School Symphonic Band did a Skype Concert to the Cheery Education Centre (http://cheerycentre.org/) in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya at Mashimoni. During that session we realized that they neither had music classes nor instruments. So the Cheery Education Centre Music Project (www.cheerymusicproject.com) was created. There are three phases to the project: 1) Provide Recorders and improve their WIFI capabilities, WOHS Band Students will teach them via Skype how to read music using Recorders; 2) Using Nuvo instruments, Ptrumpets and Pbones we will get an instrumental ensemble established; and 3) We will provide the Cheery students with student model instruments for them to play and form their first Concert Band.
Proud to be a part of Music Teachers For Peace!
Mr. Ditch completed his Master’s degree from East Carolina University in 2000 and is National Board Certified Teacher. Mr. Ditch is a past president of the Eastern District Bandmasters association and a past Secretary for the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. He is a proud member of ASBDA.
His greatest achievement is being the proud father to his son Jacob Perry Ditch.
