Conductor, Percussion Ensemble
John Gilchrist is a music educator and performer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Born and raised in Pacifica, CA, John Gilchrist is a local Bay Area music educator and performer. After graduating from Terra Nova High School, John earned a BM in Music Education from San Jose State University, during which he studied percussion under the mentorship of Galen Lemmon. During his time at SJSU, John served as principal percussionist of the SJSU Wind Ensemble and won several awards for his playing. Notably among them: First prize in the California PAS Marimba Competition as well as the 2016 SJSU Concerto Competition. John would later go on to complete his student teaching in the Fremont Union High School district at both Homestead and Lynbrook High Schools.
After completing his student teaching, John spent nearly two years teaching at Milpitas High School where he taught band and percussion. John has also served as a percussion manager for both the HS All State Wind Symphony and the JHS All State Symphonic Band. He currently serves as the director of instrumental music at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California. In addition to teaching, John stays an active performer, regularly performing with many local groups and serving as the principal percussionist of the San Jose Wind Symphony.