Ben Crotts
Director of Bands
Mr. Ben Crotts is a 2009 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he graduated Magna Cum Laude earning the Bachelor of Music Degree in K-12 Music Education. While at UNCG Mr. Crotts studied with Dr. Edward Bach and instrumental conducting with Mr. Robert Gutter.
Mr. Crotts is starting his second year as Director of Bands at Orange High School and his 18th year in public education. At Orange Mr. Crotts directs the Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and the Panther Regiment Marching Band. Since his appointment at Orange in January 2026, the Wind Ensemble received straight Superior Ratings at the NC Bandmasters Central District MPA in Grade IV, and saw multiple students earn placements in the NC Bandmasters Central District "All-District" Honor Bands.
Prior to his appointment at Orange High School Mr. Crotts served as the Director of Bands at Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane, NC. There, he directed the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and the Marching Band. Under his direction the Concert Band and Symphonic Bands received Superiors at MPA every year attended from 2017-2025 in music ranging from Grade III-VI, and the Symphonic Band was selected to perform in the Carolina Band Invitational in 2023 at the Stevens Center in Winston Salem. The Marching Band won numerous awards at statewide competitions, including Grand Championships in 2019 and 2025, and First Place in the US Bands Regional Competition in 2016. They were selected to represent North Carolina in the 2019 National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C., as well as traveling and performing up and down the east coast from New York City to Orlando Florida. In May 2016 the Pit Orchestra was named a semi-finalist for DPAC's "Best Ensemble" Award.
Students of Mr. Crotts have earned placements in All-District and All-Region Concert and Jazz Bands, as well as the North Carolina All-State 9-10, 11-12, and Honors Jazz Bands. Many students have pursued their own music degrees and performance opportunities at Universities throughout the Southeast, including UNC-Greensboro, Western Carolina University, UNC-Wilmington, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, NC State University, Elon University, Mars Hill University, Clemson University, and the University of South Carolina. Mr. Crotts was the 2018 clinician for the Wilkes County Honor Band, and served as Treasurer and on the Board of Directors for the Central District Bandmasters Association from 2019-2026. He is a member of North Carolina Music Educators Association, National Education Association, Bugles Across America, and Pi Kappa Kambda.
ASHLYN ROBINSON
Guard Director
Ashlyn Robinson has served as Guard Director at Orange High School since 2022. Her performance background includes eight seasons of Color/Winter Guard at East Carteret High School from 2011-2015, two time DCA-A Class Champion with Carolina Gold Drum & Bugle Corps in 2018-2019, Independent Open Class Finalist with Legacy Independent in 2019, A Class Finalist with Carolina Visual Productions in 2022, and is a two year vet and Semi-Finalist at First Flight World Guard from 2020-2023. Ashlyn currently performs with the World-Class Guard, Etude, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Ashlyn's teaching experience throughout the years includes East Carteret High School, New Bern High School, Green Hope High School, and Orange High School.
In her first year as Guard Director at Orange High School, the OHS Winter Guard competed in AIA for the first time in school history. After their first competition, they were promoted by the AIA Board to Scholastic Regional A1 Class, and earned Bronze Medals at AIA South Championships. Under her direction the Orange High School Winterguard has earned consistent 1st Place and Top Three Placements on the AIA circuit, and have been promoted each year under her direction. Beginning with the 2027 season the Orange High School Winterguard will compete in the A2 Classification following their 2nd place award at the 2026 AIA Championships in Fayetteville NC.
PATRICK MITCHELL
Marching Band - Visual Coordinator/Drill Designer
Patrick Mitchell has been involved with the color guard and marching band activity since 1978 with the 3-time Canadian National Champions, The Scarlet Brigade Marching Band. He also marched in the Scarlet Brigade Winter Guard, along with the Rosemont Cavaliers and Guelph Royalaire's Drum and Bugle Corps.
After marching, Patrick went on to work with many high schools, drum corps, and a variety of winter guards. Some of these groups include: McNeil High School, Georgetown High School, Western Alamance High School, Northwood High School, the Bandette's All-Girl Drum Corps, the Cardinal's Drum Corps, and Phantasia Winterguard and Rhapsody Winterguard. Patrick has written marching drill for open class drum corps and many marching bands including, state finalist in Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Michigan. He started his judging career in 1994 and has judged for WGI, NYFCJ, ODCA and the Atlantic Indoor Association, as well as various other organizations around the United States.
Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Patrick now resides in North Carolina where he teaches music at River Park Elementary in Hillsborough, North Carolina since 2001.
He holds a Bachelors in Music Education and a Master of Music, from UNC Greensboro.
Patrick Mitchell's professional associations include the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, North Carolina Music Educator's Association, and the National Association for Music Education, He is also a National Certified Music Teacher and a 4 time Grammy Award-Music Teacher quarter finalist,
LARRY LEAL
Assistant Guard Director
Larry Leal has served as the Assistant Guard Director at Orange High School since 2022. Larry's performance background includes five seasons with Smoky Mountain High School Color Guard, two years with First Flight World Guard, and one year with WGI World Championship Finalist Carolina Visual Productions. Larry currently performs with the World-Class Guard, Etude, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina. His teaching experience includes Smoky Mounty High School, Wake Forest High School, Green Hope High School, and Orange High School.
In his first year as Assistant Guard Director at Orange High School, the OHS Winter Guard competed in AIA for the first time in school history. After their first competition, they were promoted by the AIA Board to Scholastic Regional A1 Class, and earned Bronze Medals at AIA South Championships. Under his direction the Orange High School Winterguard has been promoted in each year of competition and was promoted to the A2 Classification following a 2nd Place finish in AIA Championships in March 2026.
Matthew Parunak
Marching Band Show Arranger
Bio coming soon!