Director Bio & Band Awards

Our Bands at Ligon-  

Guest Clinicians- 

Dr. Evan Feldman, Director of Bands UNC Chapel Hill

Peter Boonshaft, Clinician Hoftsra University

Richard Floyd, Clinician 

Cheryl Floyd, Clinician

Brian Balmages, Composer

Dr. Arris Golden, Michigan State Assistant Director Bands

Dr. Wendy Mathews, Trumpet, and Music Education Professor Wayne State

Dr. Mark Norman, Clinician  UNCSA

Dr. Thomas Taylor, Jazz Education Professor, NCCU

Jim Ketch, Jazz Educator UNC-Ch

Dr. Wes Parker, Jazz Education Professor, NCSU

Dr. Andy Smith, Tuba 

Dr. Ron Carter, Jazz Educator

Steven Bryant, Composer

Ed Kiefer, Composer Clinician

Wendy Higdon, Creekside Middle School

Andrew Brough, Creekside Middle School

Krista L Siachames, Percussion*

Lisa Burn Trumpet/All Brass, Jazz

Justin Berry, Saxophone

Tony Granados, Clinician

Robin Gorham, Clinician

Marianne Breneman, Clarinet

Roz Finley, Oboe Bassoon

Phillip Riggs, Clinician

Ellye Walsh, Flute

William Coye, Double Reeds

Jimmy Gilmore, Clarinets

Brendan Vincent, Clinician, Hunter Elementary

Kelly Roudabush, Saxophones

Maria Serkin, Horn NC School of the Arts

Scott Sweeney, Trombone

Jesse Rackley, Euphonium Clinician

Casey Sagolla-Slamp, Percussion

Peter Boor, Trumpet Retired Band Director NJ

Susan Fritts, Flute and Director of Bands at St. Timothy's

 * Ligon Alum

AWARDS

2023-2024

NC East Central District MPA

Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Grade IV- V Music 

Straight Superior Ratings all A's 100%


Symphonic Band  Superior Rating - Grade II Music 

Straight Superior Ratings 


NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Jazz Ensemble

Straight Superior Rating - all A's 100% 


Little Blues Jazz Band 

Straight Superior Rating - all A's 100% 


Jazz Combo

Straight Superior Rating 


NC East Central District Solo and Ensemble MPA 

TBD

All-State Band-  

6 students selected 

All-State Jazz Band- 

4 students selected 

All District Band-

39 placements 36 students 12/14 all state eligible, 9 1st chairs

All-Region Jazz Band - 

17 students were selected (highest in the region)

All County Band- 

 32 students selected (2nd highest in the county)


Ms. Todd was chosen to conduct the Forsyth Winston Salem All County Middle School Symphonic Band 2023


Ms. Todd was chosen to conduct the Marywood University Middle School Celebration at the Honor Band Festival in Scranton, PA 2023


Ms. Todd was chosen to conduct the SC Region 3 Middle School Symphonic Band 2024


Ms. Todd was chosen to conduct the University of South Carolina High School Honor Band 2024



2022-2023

Music for All Mid-Atlantic Regional Concert Festival 

Invited Ensemble,  College Park MD

Wind Ensemble


NC East Central District MPA-

Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Grade IV Music 

Straight Superior Ratings all A's 100%


Symphonic Band  Superior Rating - Grade I/II Music 

Straight Superior Ratings 


NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Jazz Ensemble- Straight Superior Rating


NC East Central District Solo and Ensemble MPA 

11 Superiors and 7 Ensembles Chosen to Perform in the Showcase Performance (highest in the district for middle and high schools)


All-State Band-  

5 students selected 

All-State Jazz Band- 

6 students selected (highest in the state)

All District Band-

38 students selected

All-Region Jazz Band - 

18 students were selected (highest in the region)

All County Band- 

 41 students selected (highest in the county)


Ms Todd was Awarded by the School Band and Orchestra Teachers Magazine Dec 2022 " 50 Directors Who Make A Difference" 


Ms Todd was chosen by the NBA (National Band Association) Aug 2023 to write a pedagogy article on teaching beginning trumpet. 


Ms Todd was chosen in the summer of 2023 by composer, Tyler Grant Teaching Series On Tone 


Ms Todd was chosen in the summer of 2023 to lead  the NC Professional Development on Best Practices in Wilson NC and Morganton NC 


Ms Todd was chosen to conduct the NC Western All District Middle School Symphonic Band 2023


Ms Todd was chosen to conduct the NC Eastern All District Middle School Symphonic Band 2023


Ms Todd was chosen to direct the Mid Tennessee Middle School All State Jazz Band 2023

2021-2022

NC East Central District MPA-

Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Grade III Superior

NC Central Region Jazz MPA- Superior Rating


All-State Band-  

5 students selected

All-State Jazz Band- 

6 students selected (highest in the state)

All-Region Jazz Band - 

14 students selected (highest in the region)

All-District Band- 

26 students selected  (highest in the district)

All County Band- 

did not take place


2020-2021

NC East Central District MPA-

Cancelled

NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Cancelled

All-State Band-  

3 students selected

All-State Jazz Band- 

6 students selected

All-Region Jazz Band - 

17 students selected

All District Band- 

19 students selected 

All County Band- 

cancelled


2019-2020

 Performance at the 73rd Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago - Jazz Band

Invitation to Perform at the 29th Music For All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis- Wind Ensemble

NC East Central District MPA-

Cancelled

NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Cancelled

All-State Band-  

7 students selected (2nd highest in the state)

All-State Jazz Band- 

9 students selected (highest in the state)

All-Region Jazz Band - 

17 students selected (highest in the region)

All District Band- 

35 students selected  (highest in the district)

All County Band- 

 35 students selected (highest in the county)


2018-2019

Invitation to Perform at the 73rd Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic - Jazz Band

Invitation to Perform at the 29th Music For All National Concert Festival- Wind Ensemble

NC Central District MPA-

Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Grade IV and V Music Straight Superiors, 28 A's 100%

Symphonic Band and Intermediate Superior Rating - Grade III and II- Straight Superiors

NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Jazz Ensemble- Superior Rating, Straight A's

All-State Band-  

5 students selected 

All-State Jazz Band- 

5 students selected (highest in the state)

All-Region Jazz Band - 

14 students selected (highest in the region)

All District Band- 

20 students selected 

All County Band- 

29 students selected

2017-2018

Southeastern Region Concert Festival Invited Ensemble, Atlanta GA

Wind Ensemble

NC Central District MPA-

Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Grade IV and V Music Straight Superiors, 28 A's 100%

Symphonic Band and Intermediate Superior Rating - Grade III and II- Straight Superiors

Beginning Band Superior Rating- Grade I straight Superiors

NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Jazz Ensemble- Superior Rating, Straight A's

All-State Band-  

5 students selected (highest in the state)

All-State Jazz Band- 

7 students selected (highest in the state)

All-Region Jazz Band - 

17 students selected (highest in the region)

All District Band- 

24 students selected (highest in district)

All County Band- 

35 students selected (highest in the county)

2016-2017

World Strides On Stage Chicago Symphony Hall

Wind Ensemble- Superior Rating

NC Central District MPA-

 Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Grade IV Music Straight Superiors, 28 A's 100%

NC Central Region Jazz MPA

Jazz Ensemble- Superior Rating 

Straight A's

All State Band-  

2 students selected

All State Jazz Band- 

7 students selected (highest in state)

All Region Jazz Band - 

7 students selected (highest in region)

All District Band- 

17 students selected 

All County Band- 27 students selected

2015-2016

World Strides On Stage Williamsburg - 

Wind Ensemble- Superior Rating, Best in Class- High and Middle School Divisions, Gold Award, Highest Score of all Concert Bands(high school and middle)

Jazz Ensemble- Superior Rating, Outstanding Soloist, Gold Award

NC Central District MPA-

 Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Straight Superiors, 28 A's 100%

Jazz Band- Superior Rating Straight Superiors

Ligon Wind Ensemble -NC- Music Education Conference Performance 

All State Band-  

4 students selected

All State Jazz Band- 

8 students selected (highest in state)

All Region Jazz Band - 

13 students selected (highest in region)

All District Band- 

21 students selected (highest in district)

All County Band- 

21 students selected

2014-2015

Festival Disney - 

Wind Ensemble- Superior Rating, Best in Class- High and Middle School Divisions, Gold Award, Highest Score of all Concert Bands(high school and middle)

Jazz Ensemble- Superior Rating, Outstanding Soloist, Silver Award

Central District MPA-

 Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Straight Superiors, 27 A's and 1 B = 99.1

All State Band-  

4 students selected

All State Jazz Band- 

8 students selected (highest in state)

All Region Jazz  Band - 

12 students selected (highest in region)

All District Band- 

21 students selected (highest in district)

All County Band- 

28 students selected

2013-2014

Heritage Music Festivals - 

Wind Ensemble- Superior Gold Rating, Adjudicators Award, Best Band/Orchestra of the Day- High and Middle School Divisions, Invitation to Perform at Gold Level

Jazz Ensemble- Superior Gold Rating, Outstanding Soloist

Central District MPA- Wind Ensemble Superior Rating - Straight Superiors, Symphonic Band Excellent Rating

All State Band-  1 student selected

All State Jazz Band- 1 student selected

All Region Jazz  Band - 8 students selected

All District Band- 19 students selected

All County Band- 23 students selected

2012-2013

Southern Stars Music Festival- Gold Superior Rating Wind Ensemble, Gold Superior Rating Jazz Band

Central District MPA- Wind Ensemble Excellent Rating Grade IV

All State Band- 1 student selected

All State Jazz Band- 3 students selected

All District Band- 15 students selected

All Region Jazz Band- 5 students selected

All County Band - 16 students selected

Our Director at Ligon

Renee E. Todd- Band Director 

Ms. Todd is currently in her 10th year as Director of Bands at Ligon GT Magnet Middle School and 29th year of teaching music. Under the direction of Ms. Todd, the Ligon Band program has grown to over 150 band members, with four wind bands and a jazz ensemble achieving superior ratings at both local and national music festivals.  

Ms. Todd and the Ligon Jazz Ensemble recently performed at the prestigious 73rd Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in December 2019 and the Ligon Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the 29th Music For All National Concert Festival in March of 2020 which they performed Livestream from their school. Ms. Todd was recently honored in 2020 to receive the Band Director of the Year Award from the newly formed NC East Central Band Directors Association and in 2019 to receive the Award of Excellence from the Central District Band Directors Association. In both 2020 and 2019 the National Band Association awarded Ms Todd with a Citation of Excellence Award given to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of bands. In 2018 she received Jazz Educator of the Year from the  NC Central Region Jazz Educators and in 2016 she was awarded Band Director of the Year for the NC Central District. 

In 1993, Ms. Todd received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland College Park, where she studied under John Wakefield, Emerson Head and L Richmond Sparks. While in college Ms. Todd was the drum major and trumpet section leader of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band and recipient of the Otto Sibenachen- Most Outstanding Musician in the top wind band at Maryland.

Before her appointment at Ligon, Ms.Todd was nominated Teacher Of The Year at both Dillard Drive Elementary and Wendell Middle Schools.  She has served as site host for the NC Central District Band Music Performance Adjudication and Wake County Public School System All-County Band as well as served on the board for the Central District Band Association and is currently the Clinic Chair for the Central Region Jazz MPA and on the Central Region Jazz Board..  Ms. Todd is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, and Tau Beta Sigma. 

As an active guest clinician and conductor, Ms. Todd has served or is scheduled as a clinician with NC Bandmasters Association District Middle School Bands including the Western, Northwest, Eastern, Southeastern, Central, and South Central All-District Bands. Ms. Todd has conducted several Junior Bands at UNCG Summer Music Camp, as well as the Eastern, Central and Western Region Middle School Jazz Bands, and the North Carolina Area Independent Schools Honor Band. She has served or is scheduled as a guest clinician for the Chatham, Cleveland, Davidson, Durham, Guilford, Johnston and Forsyth All-County Bands and will serve as the conductor for the Region IV Honor Band in Charleston, South Carolina this spring.  Ms. Todd is an active freelance trumpeter as well as a private instructor in the Triangle area.