Roderick N. White, Jr.
Mr. White currently serves as the Director of Bands at Cordova High School. Born in Tacoma, Washington, as an “Army Brat” to Roderick N. White Sr. and Tracey White, Mr. White traveled extensively across the country and the world, including four years in Germany. His family eventually settled in Clarksville, TN, after his father was stationed there.
Mr. White attended Northeast High School, where he achieved numerous recognitions. He was selected to participate in the All-County Honor Band, received superior ratings in solo and ensemble performances, and won many first-place Drum Major awards in various marching competitions in the Middle Tennessee area. He graduated with honors in the Class of 2007.
After receiving academic and music scholarships, Mr. White moved to Memphis, TN, to pursue higher education in music at the University of Memphis. During his time there, he received many awards and honors. He played with the Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra (SOCO), the University of Memphis’ top performing wind band, the Wind Ensemble, and the Memphis Pep Band. He also served as a Drum Major for “The Mighty Sound of The South” (MSS), the University of Memphis Marching Band, in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, he was the Sophomore Representative for the MSS Band Executive Council, Mr. Mighty Sound of the South for the 2009 band year, Re-Chartering President for the Theta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc., and received the 2011 Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, Music Education Achievement Award. Mr. White graduated Cum Laude in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in education. He completed his Master of Music Education from the University of Mississippi in the summer of 2017 and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Mississippi.
During his tenure at Cordova High School, Mr. White has guided the band to numerous distinguished achievements, most notably being named Grand Champion of the Southern Heritage Classic Battle of the Bands. Under his leadership, the band has consistently earned superior ratings in concert and jazz festival assessments and has performed at the prestigious regional Essentially Ellington festival in Nashville, TN.
Mr. White is an active member of the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA), Tennessee Music Educators Association (TMEA), Tennessee Bandmasters Association (TBA), and the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA). His unwavering commitment to excellence continues to drive the Cordova High School Band Program, inspiring students to reach their highest potential.
Mr. White attended Northeast High School, where he achieved numerous recognitions. He was selected to participate in the All-County Honor Band, received superior ratings in solo and ensemble performances, and won many first-place Drum Major awards in various marching competitions in the Middle Tennessee area. He graduated with honors in the Class of 2007.
After receiving academic and music scholarships, Mr. White moved to Memphis, TN, to pursue higher education in music at the University of Memphis. During his time there, he received many awards and honors. He played with the Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra (SOCO), the University of Memphis’ top performing wind band, the Wind Ensemble, and the Memphis Pep Band. He also served as a Drum Major for “The Mighty Sound of The South” (MSS), the University of Memphis Marching Band, in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, he was the Sophomore Representative for the MSS Band Executive Council, Mr. Mighty Sound of the South for the 2009 band year, Re-Chartering President for the Theta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc., and received the 2011 Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, Music Education Achievement Award. Mr. White graduated Cum Laude in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in education. He completed his Master of Music Education from the University of Mississippi in the summer of 2017 and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Mississippi.
During his tenure at Cordova High School, Mr. White has guided the band to numerous distinguished achievements, most notably being named Grand Champion of the Southern Heritage Classic Battle of the Bands. Under his leadership, the band has consistently earned superior ratings in concert and jazz festival assessments and has performed at the prestigious regional Essentially Ellington festival in Nashville, TN.
Mr. White is an active member of the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA), Tennessee Music Educators Association (TMEA), Tennessee Bandmasters Association (TBA), and the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA). His unwavering commitment to excellence continues to drive the Cordova High School Band Program, inspiring students to reach their highest potential.