Ward Durrett has been actively involved in the marching percussion arena since 1971, assisting with the drum lines of the 1972 Guardsmen and 1975 DCI Finalist Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps’ (while serving with the U.S. Navy Band at the Great Lakes Naval Station north of Chicago), as well as supervising and arranging for numerous marching band percussion programs, including Marian Catholic HS (1983-1991).

In 2003, in conjunction with the Denver Broncos organization, Ward developed and implemented the specialized wireless miking system utilized by the “Stampede” Drumline, the 1st official Drumline of the National Football League. During that period, Ward also facilitated the formation of the Highland Sound Co., the audio arm of the Longs Peak Highland Festival in Estes Park Colorado; the largest festival of its kind in North America.

In December of 1980, Ward conceived and facilitated the 1st Spartan Marching Percussion Festival at Glenbrook North HS in Northbrook Illinois, the Festival that is credited as being the foundation for what is now known worldwide as the Indoor Competitive Percussion Activity. Within this activity, Ward directed the ongoing Spartan Festival for 14 years; assisted in creating and directing the PASIC Marching Percussion Festival (1982 through 1986); served as Coordinator of the Bands of America Marching Percussion Festival (1989 through 1995); was the initial WGI Percussion Coordinator; served as the 1st WGI Percussion Chief Judge and has assisted the WGI Percussion activity as Percussion Administrator since 2002. In December of 2000, Ward was the 1st percussionist inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame in recognition of his pioneering service to the Indoor Competitive Percussion Activity.