Leadership

Todd Berridge is in his 29th year of music education and his 17th year as Director of Orchestras at Permian High School. His duties include directing the Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Freshman Orchestra, and Satin Strings, while also teaching 5th grade orchestra at Reagan Elementary. Additionally, he assists with orchestras at Bonham, Wilson & Young, and Nimitz Middle Schools. Mr. Berridge is a member of several professional organizations, including the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. He actively serves as an adjudicator and clinician across Texas.

A 1990 graduate of Permian High School, Mr. Berridge had the privilege of studying under Charles Nail and Kathy Fishburn. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 1996, where he was principal viola in the Texas Tech Symphony Orchestra and performed with the Lubbock, Midland & Odessa, and Big Spring symphonies.

Before joining Permian High School, Mr. Berridge taught at Vernon High School, Strickland Middle School, and Flower Mound High School. At Flower Mound, his orchestras, along with the entire Fine Arts Department, won the prestigious GRAMMY® “Gold Signature” Award in both 2005 and 2006. In December 2007, the Flower Mound Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform at the 61st Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the only Texas orchestra selected for this prestigious international music conference. That same year, Mr. Berridge was named Flower Mound High School’s Teacher of the Month and received the Lewisville ISD “Golden Apple” Award for Outstanding Service in Education. He was also recognized by School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.”

Under Mr. Berridge’s leadership, the Permian High School Orchestras have consistently earned superior ratings at University Interscholastic League Concert and Sightreading Contests and have won awards such as “Best in Show,” “Overall Outstanding Ensemble,” and “Most Entertaining Ensemble” at music festivals across the U.S. and internationally. In 2012, he received the ECISD “World Class Leader in Education” Award, and he is also honored to be listed in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers,” a recognition made more special by the fact that he was nominated by his students.

Outside of music, Mr. Berridge enjoys announcing at Ratliff Stadium and spending time with his family. He is happily married to Jessica Berridge, Associate Principal at Reagan Elementary School, and they have two children, Natalie (23) and Luke (18).