Bruce Gerken

About

Mr. Bruce Gerken has taught in the Lancaster City Schools since 1978, where he presently serves as Director of Percussion Studies, Percussion Ensemble Director, and Department Chair. He received his Bachelor of Music Education in 1977, and Master of Applied Percussion in 1978 from Ohio University where he studied with Guy Remonko.

His marching percussion sections received over 130 superior ratings and awards and his percussion ensembles have been featured at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Conference ten times; five Music Educators National Conferences (MENC) Regional Conferences; and at National Conferences of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), MENC, and the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools. They have performed for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in 1993 and 2001; National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in 1997, 1999, 2004, and 2014; the Midwest Clinic in 1985, 1990, and 1999; the Kiwanis International Convention in 1996; the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina in 2007 and 2009; the Rotary International Convention in New Orleans in 2011; and the Lancaster Festival from 1996 through 2015. In May of 1995, the ensemble members were guests of educational, community and government officials from the Orenburg Region of Russia where they gave several concerts during a nine-day tour that helped celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V-E Day.

In 1989, Mr. Gerken received the American School Band Director’s Association (ASBDA) Stanbury Award for Ohio in the Senior High Division, and in 1993 he received the Ohio University School of Music Society of Alumni and Friends “Achievement in Music” Award. He was also named Central Ohio “Teacher of the Month” in May 1995, and has been nominated nine times for inclusion in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

In addition to his teaching duties, he is active as an adjudicator, clinician, arranger, and performer, and is presently an educational consultant for Pro Mark. Mr. Gerken’s Professional affiliations include OMEA, NAfME, Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Kappa Lambda and the American Federation Musicians Local No. 179.