Earlier this month, the Richard Montgomery High School Jazz Combo performed at the Committee for Education Funding’s (CEF) 30th annual Legislative Conference and Awards Gala. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Perry, the five very talented young musicians performed for more than 500 attendees, including Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17) and Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is happy to have helped organize their performance and give these students such a unique opportunity. NAfME gives the highest praise to Dr. Perry and his students for their outstanding performance; we wish them the best in their future musical endeavors.
CEF was founded as a coalition in 1969 with a goal of achieving adequate federal financial support for our nation’s education system. Nonpartisan and nonprofit, CEF is America’s oldest and largest education coalition, reflecting the broad spectrum of the education community. Of the coalition’s 121 members, NAfME is the only music and arts education member.
Read a blog post director Dr. Peter Perry recently wrote for NAfME's Music in a Minuet blog,
Technology Strategies for the Performing Ensemble Classroom.
About their director, Dr. Peter Perry:
Peter Perry is a lifelong Maryland resident, and has traveled the world teaching and performing music. A NAfME member, he is currently in his nineteenth consecutive year as Instrumental Music Director at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. Here he conducts the: Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Marching Band. These ensembles consistently receive critical acclaim on local, state, and national levels.
Dr. Perry is a strong advocate for music technology usage in the large ensemble. His doctoral dissertation, “The Effect of Flexible-Practice Computer-Assisted Instruction and Cognitive Style on the Development of Music Performance Skills in High School Instrumental Students,” focused on how the practice software, SmartMusic™, and the cognitive styles of field dependence and field independence affect musical performance skill development.
He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory, as well as a Master’s Degree in Music Education-Instrumental Conducting Concentration, and a Bachelor of Science Degree-Instrumental Music Education, both from the University of Maryland. While at the University of Maryland, Dr. Perry was awarded the prestigious Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship in Music.
In 2006, Dr. Perry received a Japan Fulbright fellowship and participated in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, lecturer, author, composer, and performer.
Follow Dr. Perry on Twitter: @peterperry101
Ronny Lau, Legislative Policy Advisor, Center for Advocacy, Policy, and Constituency Engagement, October 20, 2015. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org).
