On May 17, 2025, the 22nd Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Ohio presented North Royalton City School’s Christopher Burdick with the prestigious Local Luminary Award at the annual Grand Master’s Reception, held at the Holiday Inn Independence.
This award recognizes an active or retired educator who has served their community with distinction—someone who has profoundly impacted students and the broader community through their dedication and service. Burdick, who has been a cornerstone of North Royalton City Schools' music program for over three decades, embodies that mission.
Since 1994, Burdick has directed the North Royalton Middle School Sixth and Eighth-Grade Bands, the North Royalton High School Symphonic Band, and the Musical Pit Orchestra. He also works with fifth-grade brass, flute, and percussion students and assists with the seventh-grade bands and the acclaimed North Royalton High School Marching Band. His leadership has helped North Royalton concert bands consistently earn Superior Ratings at OMEA Adjudicated Events—every year since 1996 at the District level and in 21 of the past 23 years at the State level.
Burdick is a lifelong musician and educator, having earned his bachelor's degree from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he received the Julia Crane Award for excellence in music education. He completed his master’s in trumpet performance at Kent State University, where he also served as a Graduate Assistant and played with the Faculty Brass Quintet.
He has contributed to music education at a statewide level as a member of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), serving as an adjudicator, event coordinator, music selection committee member, and judge. In 2022, Burdick was inducted into the prestigious American School Band Directors’ Association (ASBDA), an honor reserved for music educators who demonstrate exceptional character, experience, and musicianship.
In his remarks, Burdick credited the award to the unwavering support of his students, colleagues, school administration, and the broader North Royalton community. “Teaching music is more than a profession to me; it’s a calling,” Burdick shared. “Band rooms are not just spaces filled with instruments—they’re places where young people learn discipline, collaboration, creativity, and self-worth.”
He also took a moment to recognize the banner year that North Royalton’s Band Program has had. Every participating group—including the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Freshman Band, Eighth Grade Band, and Seventh Grade Band—earned a Superior Rating (1) at both District and State contests, a rare and remarkable achievement statewide.
The award ceremony was also a moment of personal reflection for Burdick, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to his wife Beth, a fellow educator, and their three children, all proud products of North Royalton Schools. His family's legacy in education and music continues, with his son Ryan now teaching music in Garfield Heights.
Burdick closed his speech by reaffirming his passion and purpose: “This award strengthens my resolve to keep striving, keep teaching, and keep playing—because when we teach music, we’re not just creating musicians. We’re building better people.”
The North Royalton community joins in congratulating Mr. Burdick on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his extraordinary dedication to generations of students.