Director and Staff
Alex Schmitt, Band Teacher
phpatriotband@gmail.com
aschmitt@rcps.info
540-853-2255 ext. 7066
Mr. Alex Schmitt is a music educator, clinician, and adjudicator, currently in his twelfth year serving as the Band Teacher at Patrick Henry High School. At Patrick Henry, Mr. Schmitt teaches three concert band classes, two percussion ensemble, jazz band, and also leads the Marching Patriots. Mr. Schmitt’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in Music, and a Master’s degree from Virginia Tech in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction. While studying at Virginia Tech, Mr. Schmitt served as Drum Major of the Marching Virginians for two years.
Under Mr. Schmitt’s direction, the Patrick Henry High School band has been recognized around the state of Virginia as a program on the rise. The band was recognized as a Virginia Honor Band for the first time in school history in the 2018-2019 school year, and again in the 2021-2022 school year. Other awards include “Superior” ratings and 1st Place finishes at festivals and competitions around the state. An important part of the Roanoke community, the Patrick Henry bands have performed hundreds of performances in town at local concert halls, museums, and churches. In December 2014, The Marching Patriots represented the Commonwealth of Virginia in the 2014 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. In April 2017, the Patrick Henry High Symphonic Band was invited and performed at world famous Carnegie Hall!
In addition to teaching, Mr. Schmitt is an accomplished performer, composer, and arranger. He currently lives in Roanoke, Virginia and loves spending time outside with his wife and two children.
Beth Williams, Assistant Director
Mrs. Beth Williams is currently in her ninth year teaching for Roanoke City Public Schools. She currently teaches beginning, intermediate, and advanced bands at John P. Fishwick Middle School. This is her eigth year assisting with the Marching Patriots. Mrs. Williams’s educational experience includes a BS in Music Education and a BA in Music Performance from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. She received her Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix.
Mrs. Williams has a total of 21years teaching experience, including music programs in Delaware, England, and Texas. She is an accomplished performer and private teacher for Euphonium, trombone, and tuba. Mrs. Williams enjoys cooking, kayaking, traveling, and spending time with her family. Her greatest achievement in life is creating two amazing little boys.
Kyle Hopkins, Percussion Instructor and Jazz Assistant
Chaz Tyree, Color Guard Instructor
Chaz Tyree is a 2016 University of Radford graduate. He currently works as a 4th grade teacher for Roanoke City Public Schools. He is in his seventh year working with the Marching Patriots Color Guard and Indoor Color Guard.
