Homewood Patriot Band

Ron Pence received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. He began his career at Biloxi High School as the Assistant Band Director. Mr. Pence then moved to Shaw High School in Mobile, Alabama where he was the director for one year. In 1988, Mr. Pence became the Director of Bands at Foley High School in Foley, Alabama. During his nine years at Foley the band placed in the top 10 three years in a row at the Southern Regional Bands of America, winning the Southern Regional Class A and placing 5 th in 1989, performed at the University of Southern Mississippi Conductors Conference in 1991 and won many local and regional championships. In 1996, Mr. Pence became the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Chairman for Homewood High School in Homewood, Alabama. During the 22 years at Homewood the band has been seen by more people than any other band in the state of Alabama and increased in enrollment from 160 to 400+ students. Under Mr. Pence’s leadership the band traveled to the 2003, 2009 and the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California; the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland; two Fiesta Bowl Parades in Phoenix, Arizona, the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami, Florida, the 2000, 2006, 2011, and 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades in New York, NY; the Walt Disney World Magic Music Days Parade in Orlando, Florida and the Walt Disneyland Magic Music Days Parade in California. In 2001 the Homewood Patriot Band was selected by President George W. Bush as the Alabama Representative in the Bush/Cheney Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. The Homewood Patriot Honors Band performed at the 2004 Alabama State Music Educators Convention and the 2005 University of Southern Mississippi Instrumental Conductors Conference. During Mr. Pence’s tenure at Homewood High School the band has received superior ratings at all marching and concert contests attended and won over 30 Grand Champion awards.  Mr. Pence is a member of the NAfME, ABA, AEA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Pence received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in 1991, 2004 and 2005. He was named Who’s Who in America 2003, 2004, and 2005 and named in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Mr. Pence was honor by Southern Living Magazine as the Outstanding Southerner for 1996. Mr. Pence received the Alabama Music Educators Association Leadership Service Award for over 30 years of service to the music profession. Mr. Pence has served as guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast and China.