2021 Legend - Bill Bitter

Bill Bitter is in his forty-first year with Gilbert Public Schools, Gilbert, AZ.    During that time he has taught orchestra and band at all levels, elementary through high school.  He is presently the Director of Orchestras at Highland High School.  Prior to teaching at Highland High School, Mr. Bitter spent twelve years as Director of Orchestras and Assistant Band Director at Gilbert High School.  Highland High School opened in 1993, and the Highland Orchestras currently consist of five performing ensembles, with an enrollment of over 300 students. 

Mr. Bitter has been active in the Arizona Band and Orchestra Director’s Association, serving as Vice President of High School Orchestra Activities, State Concert Festival Chairman, Fall Orchestra Festival Chairman, and Regional Orchestra Chairman.  For five years, he has been a conductor with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Mesa, AZ. Mr. Bitter was a 9 year member of the staff of the National High School Honors Orchestra, sponsored by ASTA WITH  NSOA, serving as organizing chairman in 2005.

Mr. Bitter has served as an adjudicator and clinician for festivals throughout the United States.  His orchestras have performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and in New York’s world-renowned Carnegie Hall.  In 2014, the Arizona Music Educators Association named Mr. Bitter the Arizona Music Educator of the Year, and in 2015, he received the Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator Award from the American String Teachers Association.