Staff

Ben Crotts is a 2009 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned the Bachelor of Music Degree in K-12 Music Education. While at UNC-Greensboro Mr. Crotts studied trumpet with Dr. Edward Bach, and both orchestral and wind band conducting techniques with Mr. Robert Gutter.

Mr. Crotts is completing his seventh year as Director of Bands at Eastern Alamance High School, and thirteenth as a high school band director.  Mr. Crotts directs the Eastern Alamance High School Marching Eagles, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble.  The Marching Eagles have seen great success in competitions around the Triad area, including numerous first place awards at Marching Band Competitions, First Place in the US Bands Regional Competition in 2016, and a Grand Championship Award in 2019.  The Concert Band received a rating of Superior at the 2019 NC Bandmasters Central District MPA, and the Symphonic Band has received consecutive Superior Ratings at MPA in Grade IV, V, and VI music.  Over 175 students have been accepted to All-County Band since 2016.  Numerous students have earned placement in the NC Bandmasters Central District Symphonic Band, 9/10 Wind Ensemble, 11/12 Wind Ensemble, the North Carolina All-Region Jazz and All-State Jazz Bands, and the North Carolina All-State Band.  In May 2016 the Pit Orchestra for Eastern's spring production “The Wizard of Oz” was named a semi-finalist for DPAC’s “Best Ensemble” Award and placed in their Top Ten Best Ensembles.

Students of Mr. Crotts have continued to pursue their own music degrees and performance opportunities at UNC-Greensboro, Greensboro College, Western Carolina, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Pembroke, NC A&T University, NC State University, Elon University, Methodist University, Mars Hill University, Lee University, Clemson University, and the University of South Carolina. 

Mr. Crotts was the 2018 clinician for the Wilkes County Honors Band in Ronda NC, and has served as a guest clinician at numerous high schools around North Carolina.  He served as Treasurer of the Central District Bandmasters Association from 2019-2020, and is a member of North Carolina Music Educators Association, National Association of Music Educators, NEA, and Bugles Across America.  He currently serves as a mentoring teacher for Alamance Burlington Schools, and as Department Head and member of the School Improvement Team.