This year Mr. Christian will begin his 23rd season as Director of Bands and Music Department Head at Ringgold High School. Upon graduating from Ringgold High School in 1981, Mr. Christian attended Jacksonville State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. While attending JSU, Mr. Christian studied saxophone with Dr.Ronald C. Attinger and was very active as a member of the Marching Southerners, the JSU Jazz Ensemble, the Wind Ensemble, the Saxophone Choir, and the Acapella Choir. Mr. Christian is a member of many music organizations: The Georgia Music Educators Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, the Percussive Arts Society, and the International Association of Jazz Educators. In 2003, Mr. Christian received a Citation of Excellence presented by the National Band Association for outstanding contribution to bands and band music, and in 2006, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity. He served as the GMEA Instrumental Band Chair for District VII from 2006 - 2008 and continues to serve as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the southeast.
As a performer, Mr. Christian is a member of the Chattanooga Concert Band, the Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble and The Georgians Big Band. Mr. Christian is married to Kim Correll, who is an employee of Ringgold Telephone Company. They are members of Woodstation United MethodistChurch and live in Ringgold. Mr. Christian’s daughter, Rachel, attends UTC, and his son Matthew is a senior this year at RHS and a member of the band.
Tracy D. Wright has served as the Director of the Ringgold Middle School Bandand the Associate Director of the Ringgold High School Marching Tiger Band for 15 years. Mr. Wright was named the RMS Teacher of the Year for the 2000-2001 academic year and has received two Citation of Excellence awards from the National Band Association (2002 and 2005). Mr. Wright was appointed to the staff of the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in 2006.
Under Mr. Wright’s direction, the RMS Band has performed at the Southeastern United States Band Clinic at Troy State, the Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference, and the University of Georgia Middle School Music Festival. The band received a commendation for musical excellence from the Governor of Georgia in 2000. The RMS band has received numerous superior ratings at GMEA festivals and other regional festivals in concert and jazz.
A marching, concert, and jazz bands clinician and adjudicator throughout the Southeast, Mr. Wright was awarded a Master in Music in Conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in 2004. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama in 1992. At JSU, Mr. Wright studied saxophone with Dr. Ronald Attinger, directed the basketball pep band, and served as a drum major of the nationally renowned Marching Southerners. A native of Ringgold, Georgia, Mr. Wright graduated from Ringgold High School in 1988.
Mr. Wright is a member of Quitman Lodge #106, F&AM and is a member of the York Rite. He enjoys teaching and lecturing on Catoosa County history in the community. Mr. Wright lives in Chickamauga with his wife Amy, an elementary school teacher. They attend Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Chattanooga.
Brian Shirley - Percussion Coordinator
Brian Shirley is the current Percussion Coordinator for the Ringgold High School Band. He is a 1996 graduate of Dalton High School. In 2000 Mr. Shirley graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the Ringgold Staff he was a member of Spirit of Atlanta, Escape Percussion, Velocity Percussion and the JSU Marching Southerners. He has taught at schools throughout Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Mr. Shirley works in Dalton where he lives with his wife, Condelia.
Undra C. Finley - Visual Consultant
Mr. Finley is a native of Summerville, GA and a 1983 graduate of Chattooga County High School where he was drum major for Ron Becton, Band Director. Mr. Finley attended JSU and marched in the award winning Drum Line of the Marching Southerners. He earned his B.S. in Finance and Marketing. After graduation he began his professional career as a philanthropist in North Georgia and Tennessee. He is currently employed in retail management for the Hamilton Village Wal-Mart & the CEO and owner of UFVC Enterprise, Inc, Chattanooga, TN. Mr. Finley has served as a drum major/color guard instructor, clinician, consultant and adjudicator for 24 years through out the U. S. He is a member of the Central State Judges Association, Gulf Coast Judges Association, Southeast Color Guard Circuit, Carolina Independent Performance Association and Winter Guard International. He created the Chattooga and East Paulding Drum Major Symposium in 1990. He is currently serving his 4th year as Visual Consultant for the Ringgold High School Marching Tiger Band.
Brian Shirley - Percussion Coordinator
Undra C. Finley - Visual Consultant