Director of Bands
Mr. R. Paul Rozecki, Jr.
Paul Rozecki is in his 18th year teaching Instrumental Music and 15th year at Atlee High School. Mr. Rozecki is a native of Gloucester County, Virginia and earned his Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University with a Minor in Jazz Studies. Mr. Rozecki began his career at Varina High School in Henrico County where he oversaw growth in the program over his three years in the position. The band earned superior ratings at festivals and assessments and grew from just over 50 members to over 100 during his last year.
Mr. Rozecki was appointed Director of Bands at Atlee High School in 2008, where he serves presently. He is responsible for two concert bands, two jazz ensembles, pep band, percussion ensemble, and the award winning Marching Raiders. While at Atlee, all performing ensembles have earned consistent superior ratings in the jazz, marching and concert idioms. As a result, the Atlee Band Program has been designated a Virginia Honor Band for 11 consecutive years and nineteen times overall in the school’s history.
Mr. Rozecki’s professional affiliations include the National Arts for Music Education, Virginia Music Educator’s Association and the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association. He has served as District Chair and on the VBODA Council of Review. For the past 10 years Mr. Rozecki has served on the Macy’s Great American Marching Band staff providing logistical and instructional support for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is an active adjudicator and clinician for jazz, concert and marching events throughout Virginia.
An avid marching band drill designer, Mr. Rozecki recently won the R.E.B. Award for teaching excellence for his contributions to the classroom and the music education profession. With this grant, he attended the Pyware Visual Design Retreat in Cape Cod, Massachusetts to further his knowledge and understanding of Pyware and drill design elements.
Mr. Rozecki maintains membership in the Richmond Pops Band, and is also a member of the Remnants Rock n’ Soul band, where he plays saxophone and performs locally for special events. Mr. Rozecki enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Lori and son Mason. They reside in Hanover County, Virginia.
Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Ron Simmons
Mr. Simmons has been in the music education field for forty years. He is currently the Executive Director for Music Festivals and Tours. His company supports the music education field by providing festival assessments and competitions for elementary, middle and high school bands, choirs and orchestras. Music Festivals & Tours also provides high school and college/university performing ensembles Domestic and International Performing Tours. Another program that MF&T offers is our unique Cruise Festivals on Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Performing groups have a clinic/workshop with a top music educator and has the option of performing for the ship’s audience. Ron’s company also coordinates and produces the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. This is one of the premiere All-Star Marching Bands in the country that performs annually at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to producing and coordinating, he serves on the teaching staff for the band. While teaching full-time, Ron served on the Executive Boards and committees for the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association and Virginia Music Educators Association and served as Chairman of District One. He also served as Chairman of the 50th Anniversary of VMEA and coordinated honor bands and orchestras that performed at the conference that year. Ron has served as an adjudicator and guest conductor all over the United States as well as Internationally. He was also appointed to conduct the Mass Band for the halftime show for the Sun Bowl College Football game in El Paso, Texas.
Mr. Simmons has been on the Atlee Band staff for 15 years serving as one of the Assistant Directors. He also serves as a music substitute teacher for Hanover County.
