Chris White is a native of Bristol, Tennessee. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music, with honors, from Bridgewater College (VA). He began graduate studies as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for University Bands at Radford University, studying trumpet and conducting with Mark Camphouse, and later completed his Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting at Winthrop University under the mentorship of Dr. Bill Malambri. Mr. White has been a National Board certified teacher since 2006.

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Mr. White is currently the Director of Bands at Hickory Ridge High School, a post he has held since the school's opening in the fall of 2007. His primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony and Concert Band, teaching music theory, and overseeing a comprehensive program encompassing three concert bands, two jazz ensembles, the Blue Regiment marching band, musical pit orchestra, winterguard, winter percussion, and various chamber groups. Before Hickory Ridge, he taught for six years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Under his direction, Hickory Ridge ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at marching, concert, jazz, and solo/ensemble events.

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Concert ensembles under his leadership have been selected for numerous distinguished performances, including a 10-day performance tour of China in 2018 and a 2023 European tour to Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague. The Wind Symphony was featured at the 2022 North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) Conference and the 2024 Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival at Georgia State University. They are invited participants in the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana in March 2026. Additional appearances include performances in Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans, and Orlando.

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The Blue Regiment marching band has earned multiple first-place awards and grand championships, along with superior ratings at North Carolina Marching Band MPA events. The ensemble has been a finalist at major regional competitions, including the Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions. Internationally, the band has represented the school and community in the 2009, 2016, and upcoming 2026 London New Year’s Day Parades, as well as the 2020 Rome New Year’s Day Parade and Frascati Street Festival.

 

Mr. White’s students frequently earn positions in county, district, state, collegiate, and national honor bands, including the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, NAfME All-National Ensembles, Music for All Honor Band of America, and the U.S. Marine Band Concerto Competition finals. Since 2019, Hickory Ridge has been recognized annually with the NAMM Foundation’s SupportMusic Merit Award for excellence in community music education.

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Mr. White was named Hickory Ridge High School Teacher of the Year in 2015 and was a top-five finalist for Cabarrus County Schools Teacher of the Year. His prior honors include Charlotte-Mecklenburg New Band Director of the Year (1999), E.E. Waddell High School Teacher of the Year (2001), and the Horace Mann Crystal Apple Award for outstanding teaching. He has served as clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor for numerous concert and marching events. His professional leadership includes service as South Central District Bandmasters Association (SCDBA) High School Representative (2012–2016), District Chair (2018–2020), and current President of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NCBA), following prior service on its Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) Committee.

 

Mr. White was the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Piedmont Community Band from January 2022-December 2024.

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His professional affiliations include the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), National Band Association (NBA), North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NCBA). He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Omicron Delta Kappa.