Toxic social media, helicopter parents, indifferent students, and constant administrative mandates -- not to mention the already stressful demands of being a music educator -- are driving many teachers to burnout. Eric Rath, a veteran band director, composer, and father of five, will discuss the power of developing personal and professional habits while also providing strategies for more effective rehearsals, and healthy perspectives for flourishing despite the burdens that come with the job.
Eric Rath
- Biographical Information
Eric Rath is an active educator, guest conductor-clinician, adjudicator, arranger and composer. Under his direction, the Canyon HS Band (Canyon, TX) has been a finalist in the UIL State Marching Contest, the TMEA Honor Band Contest and the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series.
As a composer, Rath has pieces published through Alfred Music, FJH, Tapspace, and TRN. Mr. Rath and Ralph Hicks are co-authors of the wildly popular percussion resources, "Beyond Basic Percussion," the "Five Minute Drill" and “Nine Minute Drill” (Tapspace). His catalog of marching band shows is available from Luke McMillan Music.
Mr. Rath is a veteran member of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. He is an in-demand freelance percussionist and serves on the worship team at his church. Additionally, he is an alumni member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2019, he was named the Teacher of the Year at Canyon Junior High School. And in 2024, he was selected as a University Interscholastic League - Sponsors Excellence Award Winner.
Mr. Rath is a proud graduate of West Texas A&M University, where he received both his Bachelor of Music Education and his Master of Arts Degree.
Mr. Rath resides in Canyon, Texas, with his wife Kayla, and their children Regan, Grant, McKinley, Jackson, and Harrison. His professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and also an educational artist for Innovative Percussion, Inc.