The CATA band program eagerly welcomes Mr. Craig Retzlaff to the podium as our new band director! Mr. Retzlaff, a trumpet player, has been teaching band in Union County for the past seven years. Students in his bands routinely earn Superior ratings at MPA, earn placement in county, district, and state honor bands, and participate in local youth symphonies.
Mr. Retzlaff studied music at the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University where he earned both his Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance and Bachelor of Music Education. After graduating from Peabody, Mr. Retzlaff attended the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University in Long Beach where he earned his Master of Music.
Outside of the classroom Mr. Retzlaff serves as an adjunct professor of brass at Wingate University. He also maintains an active performance schedule and is currently the principal trumpet player of the Union Symphony Orchestra, a founding member of the Stained Brass quintet, and an active freelance performer in the greater Charlotte area.
Mr. Retzlaff lives in Union County with his wife Erica, a kindergarten teacher in UCPS, and their many pets. Mr. Retzlaff is excited to join the CATA band family and is eager to begin building relationships with the band families of CATA.
Mr. Retzlaff can be reached at craig.retzlaff@ucps.k12.nc.us
