Ryan Pritchard is an active performer, instructor, and entrepreneur from upstate New York with over 20 years of experience in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Conductor, and Timpanist for The Great Lakes Wind Symphony, which he co-founded with his long-time friend and mentor, Dr. Adam Brennan. Ryan holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from Mansfield University, where he also completed his undergraduate studies in Percussion Performance. He previously served as an interim director of the Mansfield Symphonic Band and has taught class percussion at both Mansfield and Susquehanna Universities.
Ryan’s extensive performance background includes a deep connection to the Drum & Bugle Corps activity, having performed as a snare drummer with the Spectrum Drum & Bugle Corps (1995-1998) and the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. He returned to the field as a snare drummer with the Bluecoats Alumni Corps in 2022. He is an active performing percussionist with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and The Billtown Brass, and was a member of the Promethius Percussion Quintet. He also serves as the former co-director and musical arranger for the Penn State University Indoor Drumline and actively composes and arranges.
Beyond his performance career, Ryan maintains a significant business partnership with Dr. Adam Brennan through B&P Music Productions & AllThingsBand.com, a publishing venture focused on contemporary band works. B&P Productions aims to bring wind band music and products to a wider American audience.
His contributions to the music industry also include co-ownership of EPIC Percussion and co-founding Vesper Cymbals with long-time friend Marc Garside. Together, they have built popular percussion brands, including EPIC Percussion and Vesper Cymbals. In 2023 EPIC Percussion launched an instructional, performing arm, “EPIC Performing Arts”, with ensembles that will be enjoyed by thousands throughout the indoor marching drumline season.
Affiliations
- COO of B&P Music Productions & AllThingsBand.com
- Co-owner of EPIC Percussion
- Co-owner and co-founder of Vesper Cymbals
- Administrator with EPIC Performing arts, EPIC Indoor Drumline
- Performer with the Great Lakes Wind Symphony, Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, The Billtown Brass
- Active Pearl USA Performing Artist