As one of the leading authorities in marching percussion, this true living legend's musical experiences started in the late 60's with the Los Angeles Police Band where he was a marching member. He then went on to march drum corps with The Velvet Knights and The Anaheim Kingsmen.  The early 70's with the Kingsmen helped to launch his distinguished career in composition and arranging. 

Ralph is a world renowned educator and became the Director of Percussion for the famed Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps from 1976 through 1990. During that time his achievements were honored with five DCI High Percussion awards and four DCI World Championship titles. He then became the Director of Percussion for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 1990 through 2001 and was a percussion consultant for the Santa Clara Vanguard from 1997 through 2004. Ralph has also scored music for many other drum corps as well as college percussion ensembles and marching bands, always with prestigious awards and recognition.  

Besides his marching percussion achievements, Ralph has been successful in the recording industry with Grammy nominations for jazz and rhythm and blues. He has also been the recipient of a gold record for rhythm and blues.  During his time in the entertainment business, Ralph worked for Disney and many bowl games including: the Citrus Bowl, Orange Bowl and the Super Bowl. Ralph also travels to Japan throughout the year to work with percussion ensembles, marching bands and drum corps for Drum Corp Japan/SGI.

Currently Ralph is an adjudicator for WGI indoor percussion and has recently signed a partnership with Mike Sherpa at “Head Talk”, a School of Multi Percussion in Loveland, Colorado.  Ralph is an endorser and clinician for Sabian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads and Pearl Drums/Adams Musical Instruments. Ralph also has 5 signature drum sticks with Vic Firth Inc. He has taught and studied with the DCI Hall of Fame legend Fred Sanford and studied with Charles Dowd at the University of Oregon.  Ralph was also inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in the summer of 2000, the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association Hall of Fame in 2007, and recieved the “Life Time Achievement Award” from Sabian Cymbals in 2005