Since 2005, Russell Ratterree has served as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Director at Wylie High School in Wylie, TX.  In addition to his responsibilities with the percussion program, he also directs the two Jazz Ensembles at WHS.  Mr. Ratterree graduated from Texas A&M University - Commerce where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Spanish.  He studied percussion with Dr. Brian A. West, Paul Rennick and Dr. Brian Zator during his college career.  Mr. Ratterree marched with the Carolina Crown Drum Corps in 1999 and 2001.  Under his leadership, the Wylie High School percussion program has achieved high levels of excellence in all areas of percussion. With the well-rounded percussionist being at the heart of the program, students excel at Region band auditions and various solo and ensemble contests. The drum line regularly places 1st or 2nd at the Plano Drumline Competition and the Lone Star Classic Drumline Contest, often winning caption awards for best snare line, tenor line and front ensemble.  The percussion ensemble regularly wins 1st or 2nd place at contests such as the North Texas Percussion Festival and the Black Swamp Percussion Ensemble Showcase. Most recently, the percussion ensemble won the Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition and will be presenting a showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2012.  Mr. Ratterree is endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Inc. and Remo, Inc. and his professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He lives in Wylie with his wife Jessica and children, Lucas and Ava.