A 10x Virginia Honor Band Director

Endorsed by Innovative Percussion

Virginia Music Educators Association, Conference Exhibits Coordinator

Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association State Marching Representative District 16

VBODA State Marching Assessment Host

BA, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music

National Board Certified Teacher, NBCT 2015-2025

MA In progress, the University of Virginia

 

            Mr Ratcliff holds an educational endorsement from Innovative Percussion Inc.  Mr. Ratcliff Studied percussion under, Earl Yowell, Eugiene Burkett, and Miles Overton of the “Pershing's Own”. He studied conducting and music education methods under Scott Nelson, Bryan Kidd, Jan Wagner, Garret Zoeter, and Don Black.

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              Mr. Ratcliff has also served as a creative and instructional consultant for the Christopher Newport University Indoor Programs as well as a staff member and conductor of the University of Virginia Cavalier Music Summer Camps and Leadership Institute. Mr. Ratcliff currently serves as the VBODA district 16 state marching representative. Mr. Ratcliff is a Member of VMEA, VBODA, NAFME and serves as the Virginia Music Educators Association as its conference exhibits coordinator.

 

        Mr. Ratcliff is an active adjudicator, clinician, arranger and consultant for many programs along the east coast. He currently serves as an arranger, consultant and drill designer for programs throughout Virginia and the United States. Justin’s programs consistently earn success in the activity of the marching arts. Justin’s show designs have earned over the past 10 years over 80 superior ratings at state marching assessment, and countless caption and grand champion awards including finals performances in Bands of America Regional competition including high caption awards in Overall Effect.

 

         Mr. Ratcliff is currently the Head Director of Instrumental Studies at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia. The Rock Ridge Bands in its short inception have earned the distinction of being a Virginia Honor Band every year since inception of the school. This means that all ensembles earned a superior rating at state and district assessments. The Rock Ridge Bands were honored by the 2016 Virginia senate with joint senate-house resolution SJ328. In 2014 Mr. Ratcliff was nominated for the Loudoun County Public Schools "Teacher of the Year" Award from Shenandoah University. 

 

    Mr. Ratcliff was the previous director of bands at Hampton High School in Hampton, Virginia and oversaw a program of 190 students. Hampton is the namesake school of the Hampton City Schools division which has 4 high schools. The Hampton Bands consistently earned many awards in marching band as well as consistently earning “Superior” Ratings in Concert and Marching Band state assessment. Mr. Ratcliff also served as the lead teacher for the Hampton All-City Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Ratcliff resides in Gainesville, Virginia with his wife Jill and two daughters, Ryann and Reagan.

 

    Mr. Ratcliff also served as the Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Rock Ridge from 2014-2017 and currently serves as the head coach at Loudoun County HS since 2017. Prior to this he was an assistant coach at Christopher Newport University and Shenandoah University.