Ron Abaté has been working with the Bradford Marching Owls from 2008-present. When I first contacted Ron, I was burnt out and dreading the upcoming marching band season. By the end of our first phone conversation, I felt rejuvenated and excited to begin planning.

Ron doesn’t just write your drill. He will be as involved as you want him to be throughout the season and is always available for advice. He may not always tell you what you want to hear, and he will be unabashedly honest, but trust and listen to him. You won’t regret it.

Ron is a consummate educator and his passion for the pageantry arts is truly inspirational. He has taught us so much. He always has our best interest at heart. Having Ron write for and work with the Bradford Marching Owls has been the best decision of my career!

Kathy Thumpston, Director of Instrumental Music, Bradford PA

 

Ron Abate is one of the most effective educators that I have ever seen. He is perpetually focused, enthusiastic, compassionate, professional, and humble. He also possesses an ability to immediately monitor and adjust to the potential of any student. Ron and I have frequently judged band shows together. When this happens, I look forward to the show’s critique because I always learn from his empathy and communicative skills.
His skills as a drill writer are also exemplary. Ron takes great care in listening to the desires of his employer and will not be satisfied until they are met. He cares too much to ever phone it in. Because of this commitment to excellence,  it is quite common to see ensembles on his resume who have used his services for ten years and more.
If you are entertaining thoughts of adding Dr. Ron Abate to your staff, I would advise immediately doing so. Your program will vastly improve. Of that I am certain.

Sincerely,

Rich Zamperini, Proprietor – Good to Great, Great to Champion

Ron has been the greatest thing to happen to our organization in a long time. His guidance and support have been instrumental getting us back in to winter guard mode after being a dance ensemble for two years.

This guy is the whole package he doesn’t just ask a few questions then drop drill in your lap. He is involved in as many aspects of the production as you wish, is always available for advice or consultation, and insists on being involved throughout the season, no matter how many obligations he may have. He is patient, great with the kids, and very responsive when problems arise.

I honestly feel lucky to have been able to work with such a talent. He takes such joy in what he does it’s actually contagious! I don’t even want to think where we would be without him. He did an outstanding job with our dance ensemble last year, and I couldn’t be happier with the program this ear. I look forward to many years of collaboration and productive programs!

Thank you, Ron! You’re an inspiration

Dawn Michel – Former Director of Color Guards:North Tonawanda High School’s “Simplicity”
CFP Client 2000-2003

 

We’ve been very fortunate to have Ron advising, and designing for us for eight years. As a direct result of his expertise and advice, we’ve experienced incredible growth both musically and visually.
When Ron joined us, ours was a respectable, successful program described by others in the local area as “the little band that could”. But, we had arrived at the point where we were confined by our own self-perceptions. From our very first conversation, Ron was able to synthesize my desire to break out of our existing mold with a concrete plan of action.
Fast-forward eight years, and we are a different marching band program: we have a clearly defined group identity; our organizational structure (staff and student leaders) is focused and efficient; our program as a whole now sets trends instead of following them. Our festival and competition successes in the last several years are noteworthy.
Our most recent achievement was our being selected as the only in-state band to represent Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship this coming season (2005).

Two words: hire him.

Leo Werner – National Board Certified Teacher

Director of Bands, Mountain Pointe High School Phoenix AZ -1996-2005)

Director of Bands, JO Combs High School Marching Coyote Regiment 2011-2013

 

This man is a “straight- no chaser” kind of guy. He calls them as he sees them while being very student oriented and knows how to generate a great response from the audience. Without his input, you’re missing out, so don’t be foolish! You’ll want to hear what he has to say. His clinic on starting and managing a marching band was one of the best presentations I have ever been to. His experience along with his sarcastic wit comes through the first 10 minutes and the next thing you know, it’s 3 hours later and you have so much info, you don’t know what to do with it all. Thanks Ron!
Past Members of the Crane School of Music MENC , State University of New York, Potsdam, NY

 

Ron, The drill work is just exquisite! We’re very pleased! Thanks so much for all your hard work!

Ayatey Shabazz, Asst. Director and Musical Arranger @ DevMusic: CFP Collaborative designer/arranger since 1995

 

“Ron you have got these girls to climb mountains and the program has grown so much. I know it’s all to your credit and hard work. I can’t wait to see where they go next. You care about these girls and they respond with being great performers.”

Romona Wenck, Superintendent of School, Laurens Central, Laurens NY The Laurens Jaguars were reformatted and developed into consistent WGI regional finalists as well as the educational programing and training units started with guidance from CFP from 1994-2000.

 

Ron and Company Front Productions has always provided our program with services that are not only successful, but prompt and professional as well.

Their designs have not only exhibited the visual artistry required today, but have been insightful into the abilities and needs of our students.

Bill Burns – Former Director of Bands

Corry Jr. Sr. High School

Corry Pennsylvania was a CFP Client for 6 years

I have used the services of Company Front Productions since 1999 with my winterguards, Mt. Markham High School in West Winfield, NY. Being a brand new organization, Ron Abate’ and his staff were extremely helpful during the “ground floor” stages of this organization! Ron connected me with equipment and movement designers that were geared to a Novice or entry level design, gave input to musical choices, sketched out counts and programmed effect moments, personally taught the drill in a VERY short period of time and was ALWAYS available for consultation! He was most helpful in explaining his design techniques and methods for staff understanding and for adjudication analysis and is VERY flexible on the amount of input you would like him to have. He will be involved as little or as much as you desire and is an EXCELLENT communicator! He will never make you feel like your ideas are ridiculous or inconsequential and he is WONDERFUL with young people! His humor and effectiveness in a group setting are great! Whether you are a beginner or experienced in the pageantry arts, you should contact Company Front Productions! Ron Abate’ believes in service being paramount and you certainly won’t be disappointed!!

Sincerely,

Carrie Jane Nelson: Mt. Markham Colourguards (1999-2011)

 

It is my pleasure to write this testimonial for Ron Abate and Company Front Productions.  In the 20 years that I have known him, I have been fortunate to be both a student and colleague of his outstanding instruction.  I have observed him in a multitude of instructional roles that he has succeeded in with perfection and excellence.  Ron is both a fantastic educator and a skilled leader that pushes his students, fellow colleagues, and performance programs to their maximum potential.  I have supreme confidence that he will be a valued member of your instructional staff and/or design team. 
 
My experience with Ron began as a student in my high school program.  I can absolutely say that his outstanding tutelage in the visual and design program elevated my high school band significantly over the course of 3-4 years.  He was easy to get along with, set clear expectations, and pushed the ensemble where they needed to go to achieve excellence.  I can vividly remember that the members of my high school program had tremendous respect for him.  He was truly an asset to the students in this program. 
 
After graduating and obtaining my degree in music education, I contacted Ron to see if he would be interested in working with me as a new band director.  Ron graciously accepted my invitation and we have been working together since 2006.  During this time, he has been pivotal member of the design team for my marching programs.  He is honest about ideas that may or may not work with the ability levels of the students/program; however, he is also accommodating and considerate on ideas where we want to push the envelope.  Ron has consistently developed visual and general effect material that highlights the program’s strengths and also enhances the individual students to the next level of excellence.  This excellence has manifested into various accolades for my marching programs including special captions for Outstanding Visual Performance, Outstanding General Effect, Outstanding Color Guard, and top placings at state level competitions:  7th place, and two 5th place rankings at the AZ State Marching Band Championship. 
 
My school district’s continuous improvement plan states that all staff members are responsible for “preparing every student for success in college, career, and life.”  I believe that Mr. Ron Abate meets this responsibility to the letter for high school marching band.  I highly recommend him and Company Front Productions for any of your band program needs, and I am very confident he will make an outstanding and solid addition to your marching and design staff.  In short, Ron is the man!
 
Sincerely,
 
Daniel B. Eaton
Director of Bands, Orchestras, & Percussion
Performing Arts Instructional Leader
North High School
CFP Client since 2005

 

I have been in the business of creating ‘moving’ music for a number of years with several drill designers. When I began working with Ron, both with other clients as well as for my own band here at Brockport, I was immediately impressed with the musicality of his work as well as the sensical transitions that are such a vital part of his art. There is no need for the traditional flow chart and instrument placement lists because he can interpret the score and bring the motion of the music to life. He understands phrasing and balance and that is the cornerstone of his drills. Hire him. You won’t be sorry.

Shawn Halquist – Director of Bands

Brockport HS, Brockport, New York

CFP Client since 1999

Always look forward to working with Ron.  Very professional.  He delivers a quality product every year.

Mike Rebb- Director of Instrumental Music-

Trevor Browne HS, Phoenix, AZ

CFP Client 2011-2016