John Riley

John has been involved in marching percussion since 1977. While a member of Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, during the corps first two generations, he studied under Mark Thurston, Dale Adair and Grant Davis to name a few. These instructors were an asset to John’s development as a percussionist. In addition to the Crossmen he performed with the Philadelphia Chinatown Drum and Bugle Corps, Philadelphia PAL Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Willingboro Black Watch Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Bayonne Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps.

John went on to teach in the percussion programs for the Crossmen, Sunrisers, Westshoremen, Bayonne Raiders, East Coast Jazz, and the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also taught competitive marching band programs at Bensalem High School, Cherokee High School, and Bunnell High School from Stratford, CT. In addition to judging for Mid-Atlantic Percussion Society, John judges Percussion and Music Captions for United States Scholastic Band Association, Cavalcade of Bands Association, and the Music and Arts Conference.

John is a Facilities Manager for a top ranking litigation law firm in Philadelphia. He resides in the Wissahickon Park section of Philadelphia with his wife and two children.