Warsaw Community High School Tigers Pride Band and Guard
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Mickey Ratliff is currently Director of Bands at Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, IN where he previously had been Assistant Director of Bands.  His current duties include directing the WCHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Pep Band.  Other duties include assisting with the Concert Band and four middle-school bands, teaching Music Theory, and serving as Department Head of Instrumental Music.  Mr. Ratliff has also taught private percussion lessons through Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, IN.  In the past twenty-five years, he has served as an educator, clinician, adjudicator, private teacher, and performer in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Indiana.


Mr. Ratliff received his Bachelors of Music Education ('91) and Masters of Music Performance ('98) from Morehead State University, where he studied percussion with Frank Oddis and conducting with Dr. Richard Miles.  While at Morehead, Mr. Ratliff worked as a freelance writer/arranger and instructor for several area drumlines and was active as a performer, arranger, and instructor for the award-winning MSU Drumline and Percussion Ensembles - including the 1992 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Indoor Championship Drumline.  Recently, he performed with the MSU Alumni Percussion Ensemble at the 2003 PASIC in Louisville, KY.


Mr. Ratliff continues to perform with his rock band, "Joe's Garage", with the Grace Community Wind Ensemble, local church ensembles and Praise Bands, musicals, and in a variety of other musical situations. 


Mr. Ratliff endorses Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Evans Drumheads, and Dynasty USA drums.  He currently resides in Warsaw, IN with his wife Dianne, their sons Dylan and Lennon, and their dachshund, "Tipper".


Mr. Ratliff's favorite quotes:


  • Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set YOURSELF on fire.

  • If you want to be good, practice until you get it right. 

    If you want to be GREAT, practice until you CAN'T get it WRONG.

  • If you want to accomplish something, you'll find a way.  If you don't, you'll find an excuse.

  • Babe Ruth hit 714 homeruns in his career.  He also struck out 1,330 times!

  • If you are afraid of failure, you can never be a success

  • Swing for the fences every time you're at bat!

Emily Mikel is currently Assistant Director of Bands at Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, IN.  Her current duties include assisting with the WCHS Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Pep Band and four middle-school bands.  Other duties include directing the Concert Band and teaching General Music.


Ms. Mikel received her Bachelors of Science in Music Education ('06) from Ball State University.  While there she studied Clarinet with Caroline Hartig and was the head Band Librarian.  Ms. Mikel completed her student teaching experience at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana.  She remains active as a performer with the Elkhart Municipal Band and Grace Wind Ensemble as well as other local musical groups.


Ms. Mikel is a 2002 graduate of NorthWood high school, and is from Wakarusa, Indiana, where her parents, Mark and Kathy, and sisters, Kelsey, Maddie, and McKenna still reside.