Chris Ball

Citations Battery Arranger

Born and raised in NJ, Chris Ball was exposed to marching percussion during his freshman year in high school and immediately said, “I want to do that!” He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and had the privilege of playing in the drumline all four years, learning from DCI giants Thom Hannum and Colin McNutt. Chris was awarded the Avedis Zildjian Percussion Scholarship during his senior year. As part of several university ensembles, Chris began arranging music for these groups under the tutelage of Mr. Hannum. While at UMass, Chris wrote for and instructed at various high schools in MA and NJ. Since 2007, he has been instructing the drumline at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Charlton, MA and was named battery arranger for the outdoor and indoor programs this year.

Chris played snare drum for two drum corps summers with the Spartans in 2006 and 2007. He had the privilege of being the section leader for the World Championship 2007 season, receiving the “Spartan of the Year” award. Just this past year, he spent some time back at UMass writing for part of their show and instructing at their band camp. Chris looks forward to working with this talented staff of familiar faces and new friends, as well as applying his arranging skills to the Citations 2012 production.