Staff
David Ratliff
Director of Bands
David Ratliff is currently the Director of Bands at Madison Southern High School in Berea, KY. He is in demand throughout the United States and Europe as an instructor, arranger, clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. Additionally, Mr. Ratliff serves as the KMEA All-State Bands and Orchestra Percussion Coordinator. Mr. Ratliff is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (1994) and a Masters of Music Degree (1998). He also holds a Rank I Certification in Music from Eastern Kentucky University (2003). Mr. Ratliff was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps (front ensemble) and The Cavaliers (both front ensemble and batterie) and the staff of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He has been a member of the faculty of the Bands of America Summer Symposium and numerous Yamaha Sounds of Summer clinic/camps. He has also presented or assisted clinics as part of KMEA State In-Service Conferences and at the MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Mr. Ratliff is published in the Percussive Arts Society's international publication Percussive Notes as well as the KMEA publication Bluegrass Music News. He has published study guides in Teaching Music Through Performance in Band volume V and volume VI as well as Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band volume II. He has published compositions with Advantage Network and Marching Show Concepts, as part of the 2006 Yamaha Sounds of Summer instructional booklet, and was a composer and compiler of The Blue Book published by Tapspace Publications. He is a Performing Artist/Clinician for the Yamaha Corporation of America, Innovative Percussion Drum Sticks and Mallets, and Evans Drumheads. Professionally, Mr. Ratliff is a member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Phi Beta Mu and the Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Ratliff and his lovely wife Susan have two children, Holly and Katie. They reside in Richmond, where they are active members of the First United Methodist Church where he regularly performs drum set in the Sunday morning Praise and Worship Band.
Matthew Skaggs
Associate Director of Bands
Matthew J. Skaggs has been teaching music and percussion for nearly 20 years. Most recently Mr. Skaggs was named the first Director of Bands at the newly opened Farristown Middle School. Previously Mr. Skaggs has held private teaching positions with the Jessamine County Arts Council, and The Drum Center of Lexington as well as maintaining a private studio of students. In addition to teaching privately, Mr. Skaggs held the position of Director of Bands for the Woodford County High School and Woodford County Middle School from 2006-2011. While there the schools received multiple distinguished ratings in concert band, jazz ensemble, and percussion ensemble assessment. During this time period the Woodford County High School Band qualified for the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association’s State Marching Band Championships for the first time in school history, as well as receiving a distinguished rating at Festival Disney in 2009.
Mr. Skaggs also maintains a profile as a performer as well. He has toured throughout the U.S. and parts of Europe with various groups in numerous musical genres. Currently, Mr. Skaggs continues to serve as a studio musician as well in the Lexington, KY area.
Mr. Skaggs enjoys spending his time off with his daughter Katie Beth, and wife Melissa as well as hunting, fishing, and numerous church activities.
Chris Bidwell
Assistant Director of Bands
Chris Bidwell is the choir and band director at Foley Middle School. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Kentucky University where he also studied trombone under Ken Haddix. After completing his student teaching at Rockcastle County Schools, he served as the choir director at Warren Central High School from 2008-2011. In addition to his current middle school duties, Mr. Bidwell serves as the Assistant Director of Bands of the Madison Southern High School Band and is completing his Master of Arts in Education from Western Kentucky University.
Nick Harover
Percussion
Becky Reams
Color Guard
Becky Reams is from Erlanger, KY. She went to Dixie Heights High School and spent four years spinning in their color guard and winter guard. Before attending Eastern Kentucky University, she taught Simon Kenton's color guard. In 2009 and 2010, Becky marched for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. She now lives in Richmond, KY and will graduate from EKU in May of 2012.
Meredith Young
Student Teacher
Meredith Young is student teaching during the fall semester in the Madison County School District, spending the first part of the semester at Madison Southern High School. Originally from Waverly, Iowa, she is attending the University of Northern Iowa pursuing her Bachelor of Music Education Degree and will graduate in December 2011. She began studying flute with Dr. Angeleita Floyd in 2005 as a high school student and has continued those studies throughout her college career. While at UNI, she participated in the Panther Marching Band for four years, with the band performing her direction as field commander for three of those years. She also performed and traveled with the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Northern Iowa Flute Choir, Volleyball Pep Band, and Basketball Pep Bands. She is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, an honorary service band fraternity, and served as their president for two years.
While at UNI, Miss Young led sectionals for a visiting middle school band as part of its university visit. She studied conducting with Dr. S. Daniel Galyen, and was given experience rehearsing and conducting the Symphonic Band. She also gained experience conducting the Northern Iowa Flute Choir both in rehearsals and in a concert performance. Miss Young has been asked by her high school to teach numerous drum major clinics as well as give private and small group instruction in preparation for solo and ensemble contests.
