Meet Our Directors
BRUCE GERKEN
Mr. Gerken has
taught in the Lancaster City Schools since 1987. He presently serves as Director of
Percussion Studies, Percussion Ensemble Director and Music
Coordinator. 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 have received numerous superior ratings and awards and his percussion ensembles have been featured at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Conference seven times; four Music Educators National Conferences (MENC) Regional Conferences; and at National Conferences of the Music Educators of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), MENC, and the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools. They have also preformed for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in 1993 and 2001, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in 1997, 1999 and 2004; the Mid West Clinic in 1985, 1990 and 1999; and for the Kiwanis International Convention in 1996. In addition, in May of 1995, the Lancaster High School Percussion Ensemble were guests of educational, community and government officials from 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 was the recipient of the American School Band Director's Association (ASBDA) Stanbery 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 had been nominated six times for Who's Who Among America's Teachers.
In addition to his
teaching duties, he is also active as an adjudicator, clinician, arranger and
performer and is presently an educational consultant for Pro Mark. Mr. Gerken's
professional afflictions include OMEA, MENC, Percussive Arts Society (PAS),
Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Kappa Lambda and the American
Federation of Musicians, Local No. 179.
BART PICKENPAUGH
Mr. Pickenpaugh has been teaching instrumental music since 2004. Prior to coming to Lancaster, Mr. Pickenpaugh taught Orchestra, Choir, and Band to Junior High students in Victorville, CA and then was the Director of Bands at Tri-Village Local Schools located northwest of Dayton, OH. Currently Mr. Pickenpaugh is responsible for directing the “Band of Gold”, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. In addition he will also be assisting with Thomas Ewing and General Sherman Junior High Bands and working with the woodwinds in sixth grade.
Mr. Pickenpaugh holds his Bachelor of Music Education from Ohio University. He was a member of the Marching 110, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Trumpet Ensemble. While attending Ohio University, Mr. Pickenpaugh studied with John Schlabach and Earnie Bastin.
Mr. Pickenpaugh is professionally affiliated with Ohio Music Education Associatoin, Music Educators National Conference, International Trumpet Guild, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In addition he is a member of the Ohio Education Association.
Mr. Pickenpaugh continues playing trumpet in his spare time. He has been a member of the Victor Valley Community Jazz Ensemble and the Ohio Valley British Brass Band. He has also had the honor of performing with the Brass Band of Columbus.
Mr. Pickenpaugh can be reached by e-mailing: b_pickenpaugh@lancaster.k12.oh.us
DAVID BODE
Mr. Bode has been teaching instrumental music since 1992. With the closing of the Stanbery Campus in 2006, Mr. Bode is now the Director of Bands at General Sherman Junior High School. Prior to coming to Lancaster, Mr. Bode taught in Columbus and at the Amanda Clearcreek Local Schools. In his current position at Sherman, Mr. Bode is responsible for directing the Seventh Grade Band, Eighth Grade Band, the Sherman Jazz Band, as well as the beginning and sixth grade bands for the west side of town. In addition to these duties, he also assists with the "Band of Gold" and the Thomas Ewing Junior High Bands.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University where he performed with the Concert Band, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Commencement Band, and Trombone Ensemble. Mr. Bode also completed a Master of Arts degree in music education in the fall of 2001 at The Ohio State University in which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While working on both degrees at Ohio State, Mr. Bode studied trombone with Joseph Duchi (Professor of Trombone at Ohio State and bass trombonist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Bode is professionally affiliated with the Ohio Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, the International Trombone Association, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. In addition, Mr. Bode is also a member of the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association, and the Lancaster Education Association.
Mr. Bodes’ bands from past teaching positions have performed in Chicago, Virginia Beach, and Toronto. While in Lancaster, Mr. Bodes’ freshman concert band has performed under the direction of David Shaffer, Bruce Moss, James Swearingen, and James Curnow. The freshman concert band has also performed with The Ohio State University Trombone Ensemble, and has performed at the Music Showcase Festivals in Sandusky, Ohio. The freshman jazz band has performed twice at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. His ensembles (from past and current teaching positions) have earned top ratings and awards at contests.
Mr. Bode continues to play trombone in the area, gives private instruction on low brass instruments, has had the privilege of playing in the Worthington Civic Band, and has performed a couple of times with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Ohio Valley Orchestra. He has also served as a clinician in the area of trombone and music education. Mr. Bode is also an active marching band adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association, has served as a solo and ensemble adjudicator, and has served as the co-director for the Lancaster Festival Community Youth Summer Band Program. Mr. Bode has been nominated twice for inclusion in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and is also included in Who’s Who in America.
Mr. Bode is married to Launa and has a son named Collin and a daughter named Madison. Outside of music and teaching, Mr. Bode enjoys spending time with his family, time in the outdoors, boating, and fly-fishing.Mr. Bode can be reached by e-mailing: d_bode@lancaster.k12.oh.us
JAMES MERTON
Mr. Merton is the retired Director of Bands at General Sherman Junior High School where he directed the Seventh Grade Band, Eighth Grade Band, the Sherman Jazz Band, as well as the beginning and sixth grade bands for the west side of town. Mr. Merton also works with beginning and second year woodwind students, and is the marching specialist for "Band of Gold."