The Directors

Dr. Kenneth G. Ruff, Director of Bands

Kenneth Ruff is the director of university bands at North Carolina A&T State University. His band duties include directing the Marching Band, the Symphonic bands, the Concert, and Pep bands. He creates the drill designs for the marching band and is responsible for organizing and planning the band program.

Ruff holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from North Carolina A&T. He also holds a master’s degree in music education, a specialist degree in education, and a doctorate in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Prior to becoming the director of university bands at North Carolina A&T, Ruff served as an assistant principal at Eastern Guilford High School in the Guilford County School System. He also served as an assistant director of bands for North Carolina A&T on a part-time basis. Ruff served as director of bands at Eastern Guilford High School and McLeansville Middle School and an associate director of bands at John Motley Morehead High School and Holmes Middle School in Eden, North Carolina.

Ruff is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Fraternity of Music, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Thomas G. Warner, Jr., Assistant Director of Bands/Music Lecturer

Thomas G. Warner, Jr. is the Assistant Director of Bands at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he manages wind band pedagogy and teaches in the College of Humanities Arts and Sciences. He assists the Director of Bands with university band program administration and supervises music for ensembles like the University Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Brass Choirs. Mr. Warner is also involved in recruiting, band logistics, and implementing national music education standards.

A native of Atlanta, Mr. Warner holds a BA in Music from Morris Brown College and an MA in Music Education from Florida State University. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Mr. Warner’s career includes roles as a music educator and band director at various schools, including South Carolina State University and Clark Atlanta University. As an experienced clinician and adjudicator, Warner is affiliated with many music organizations such as the HBCU National Band Directors' Consortium, where he served as President, as well as The College Music Society, National Association for Music Educators, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. Other professional memberships include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Prince Hall Masonry Derwin Brown Lodge #599, John L. Martin Consistory 367A, and Al-Karim Temple #242 of The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Aaron J. Campbell, Assistant Director of Bands/Chief Arranger

Aaron J. Campbell is an Assistant Director of Bands and Chief Arranger for North Carolina A&T State University. His duties include arranging, composing, teaching, and conducting music for the Blue & Gold Marching Machine. He is also the director of the Wind Ensemble and the Saxophone Choir. Mr. Campbell is a graduate of North Carolina A&T, having earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Electronic Music. He also earned his master’s degree in music education from East Carolina University. 

Mr. Campbell has written music for North Carolina A&T over the past 25 years. During this time, he has served as the director of bands at Neal Middle School in Durham, NC, and Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, NC. He has also served as a music adjudicator for band competitions throughout the state and provided music for high schools throughout North Carolina and nationwide. Mr. Campbell is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Christopher J. Hayes, Assistant Director of Bands-Low Brass

Christopher J. Hayes is an accomplished Trombonist, Educator, and Arranger, currently serving as the Assistant Director of Bands for North Carolina A&T State University's Blue and Gold Marching Machine. With extensive experience as a band director at Thomasville, Hillside, and Dudley High Schools, as well as James Martin and Western Guilford Middle Schools, Mr. Hayes has established a reputation for leading top-tier programs and developing musically proficient students. He also teaches as an adjunct Low Brass Instructor at Guilford College and Virginia State University and offers private lessons through the University of North Carolina School of the Arts' Community Music School.

As a Professional Trombonist, Mr. Hayes has performed with notable groups such as the Greensboro Big Band, the Salisbury and Danville Symphony Orchestras, the Camel City Jazz Orchestra, and many others. He holds a Master of Music in Trombone from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from North Carolina A&T State University. Known for his commitment to musical excellence, Mr. Hayes has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including directing championship-winning marching bands and leading his students to regional and national success.