Homewood Patriot Band

Ron Pence is Director Emeritus of Homewood High School Patriot Band in Homewood, Alabama. He served as the director of bands at Homewood from 1996 to 2020, when he retired from full time directing. He currently works part time at Homewood helping with student development, directs the jazz bands, and assists the directors as needed. During his tenure at Homewood, the band grew to over 400 students and traveled throughout the United States and abroad performing to millions of spectators and viewers. Parades include four Tournament of Roses Parades, four Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Inaugural parades, and multiple parades at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Studios in Orlando. The band consistently received superior ratings at marching and concert competitions and won over 30 grand champion awards. Homewood has been recognized as a “Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America” by NAMM Foundation for over 15 years. 

Mr. Pence received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has worked as band director at Biloxi High School in Biloxi, Mississippi, Shaw High School in Mobile, Alabama, and Foley High School in Foley, Alabama where the band placed in the top 10 at the Southern Regional Bands of America competition several years, performed at the University of Southern Mississippi Conductors Conference, and won many local and regional championships. 

Mr. Pence is a member of NAfME, ABA, AEA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu. He has received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association three times, has been named to Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for several years.  Mr. Pence was honored by Southern Living Magazine as the Outstanding Southerner for 1996 and was honored by the community of Homewood in 2016 with the Quality of Life Award. He currently enjoys lake life living, is married to his lovely wife, Jill, and enjoys spending time with his son Will, daughter in law Olivia, and son Sam.