John Eckstine

John Eckstine is the Director of Athletic Bands & Symphonic Concert Band at Monmouth College. He holds a Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Wind Conducting from Messiah University. His undergraduate degree in in Music Education from Frostburg State University.

Eckstine has been a music educator for over three decades, teaching in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He was the Director of Bands/Instrumental Music Specialist with Spring-Ford Area High School Band, where his marching band was five-time Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Group IV Champions and three-time Cavalcade of Bands Yankee Open Class Champions. His marching band was featured in the Hollywood Christmas Parade (California), the Miracle Mile Holiday Parade (Chicago), and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. His wind ensemble was invited to perform at the 2009 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Convention. All of his ensembles received consistent superior ratings in PMEA Large Ensemble, Tournament of Bands, and national festivals and adjudications.

Eckstine has served as a brass instructor with the (Drum Corps International) Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps, and the (Drum Corps Association) Bushwhackers Drum & Bugle Corps. He is a clinician and adjudicator with the National Judges Association, the parent organization of Tournament of Bands, in addition to serving as a freelance musician, guest conductor and band consultant. Eckstine has studied conducting with Andrew Yozviak, Bradley Genevro, and Edward Lisk, and is a brass specialist, with a concentration on Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba.

John is passionate about the study and performance of wind band literature, and the building and teaching of marching and symphonic concert band programs. He believes that band programs give students a chance to practice and develop emotions, fine motor skills, discipline, relationships, rigor, relevance, and persistence. John believes that through active participation in band students learn skills needed to compete in the 21^st Century workplace - critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and social skills.

• National Judges Association/Tournament of Bands
• National Association of Music Education
• Illinois Music Educators Association
• College Band Directors National Association
• National Band Association

B.A. - Instrumental Music Education University of the Arts

B.S - Music Education Frostburg State University

M.M. - Instrumental Wind Conducting Messiah University