Mr. John Brackbill was appointed the new Ephrata High School Band Director following a School Board vote on Monday, February 2. He will begin serving in this role at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
“We are fortunate to have had several experienced and distinguished applicants to consider for this position and are thrilled to welcome Mr. Brackbill to EASD! We are excited about this next chapter in our music program,” commented District Superintendent Dr. Brian Troop.
Since 2009, Mr. Brackbill was the Manheim Central High School Director of Bands where he directed the high school concert, marching, and jazz bands, as well as the spring musical pit orchestras. He served as the chairperson for the districtwide music department, taught music theory and music technology classes, and led both the middle school and fourth-grade beginner band programs. Prior to this role, Mr. Brackbill was a Middle School Music Teacher for seven years in the School District of Lancaster.
Further accomplishments include numerous Cavalcade of Band championships, “Superior” ratings at local Music Performance Assessments, Lancaster-Lebanon Music Educators Association guest conducting, and School Board Leadership Commendations. He was also named a Grammy Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist, Pennsylvania honoree among “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band & Orchestra Magazine, and the 2015 Manheim Central High School Teacher of the Year. His community involvement includes musical direction at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center, the Cantata Festival, and the Allegro Nextgen Intermezzo Winds Ensemble.
“I look forward to bringing my experience and drive for continued growth as a musician and educator, along with vibrancy, musicality, and a sustained culture of performance excellence, to the
already impressive program at Ephrata,” Mr. Brackbill shared.
His education credentials include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Elizabethtown College and a Master of Music Degree in Wind Conducting from Messiah University. He is currently completing his Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree from Boston University.
Mr. Brackbill is replacing Mr. Stephen Goss who is retiring at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year.
