Stephen M. Petrucci is a free-lance musician, music educator, and preschool teacher in Wilmington, North Carolina. Often he can be seen performing with such groups as the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, Wilmington Symphonic Winds, and the Wilmington Big Band. In addition to performing, Stephen also serves as a guest clinician and adjudicator for band programs throughout North Carolina.
Stephen most recently served as Director of Bands at Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina. During his time at Central, Stephen increased the band enrollment from 40 students in 2009, to over 160 in 2015. In addition to quantity, Mr. Petrucci increased the quality of the entire band program. Performing ensembles received multiple grand champion and first place awards, MPA superior ratings, and winter guard medals.
Stephen’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Marshall University in 2002 and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from East Carolina University in 2008. While at Marshall, Stephen was voted the MU Percussive Arts Society Chapter President and co-creator of the MU “Day of Percussion.” During his time at East Carolina he taught percussion methods courses, the Marching Pirates Drum Line, and conducted the ECU Steel Band.
Prior to his time at Central Cabarrus, Stephen was the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, NC and Director of Bands at Red Springs High School in Red Springs, NC. While at Wakefield (2008-2009), Stephen co-directed the marching band, conducted the freshman concert band, Silver Jazz Band, and lead the Wakefield Indoor Concert Percussion Ensemble to an AIA Open Class Gold Medal.
Stephen currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina with his beautiful wife Sarah and daughters Grace and Katherine. Stephen is an active artist/endorser for Innovative Percussion.