Jacob Ford, Percussion

Jacob Gerald Ford is a freelance percussionist, educator, and composer based out of Hillsborough, New Jersey.

Ford has been instructed by Percussion Professor William Trigg, Director of Bands Dr. Eric Laprade, Assistant Director of Bands Professor Adam Warshafsky, as well as Education Professors Dr. Nicholas McBride and Dr. Colleen Sears. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The College of New Jersey in 2022.

As a performer, Ford has premiered works by Mr. Steve Danyew, Dr. Rollo Dillworth, Holly Harrison, and Sally Lamb McCune, as well as his own compositions and arrangements.

As an Educator, Ford is committed to providing quality education to middle, high school, and collegiate level ensembles. He currently serves as the Band Director at South Hunterdon Regional High School where he teaches Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Music Technology. Outside of South Hunterdon, he has taught lessons about percussion techniques, rehearsal techniques for wind band, marching ensemble techniques, and battery percussion and front ensemble instruction. He also can consult on prop design and administrative tasks for marching or touring ensembles.

In the marching arts, Ford serves as the Percussion Caption Head and Arranger of the South Brunswick High School Viking Marching Band. He previous held positions for Montgomery High School Marching Band (Skillman, NJ), South Plainfield High School and Allentown High School Marching Band.

As a composer, Ford is dedicated to writing works of different styles that encourage the performers to use expression and interpretations in order to interact with the audience. He has composed works for solo, duet, chamber, and ensemble percussion groups, as well as for Wind Ensemble. He has also arranged music for Marching Bands and Marching Percussion.

Outside of educating, Ford is a Percussion Maintenance and Repair Technician for a variety of school districts and artists. He helps ensure that all instruments are functioning properly and providing the best quality sound for the performers and the audience.

Ford has served in a variety of roles for Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps including Assistant Tour Manager, Operations Manager, and Props Manager. Throughout his various roles, he works with the administration to ensure the corp travels down the road safely and efficiently. He also works with the Design and Educational Teams to manage the movement and repair of the props on and off the field.

He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) and the New Jersey Music Education Association (NJMEA). Ford is also a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. OAS AAS LLS