Mr. John Karos is currently the director of the Instrumental Music program at Tuscarora High School. He teaches Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Orchestra, and Theory classes and serves as the Performing Arts Department Chair. He received a Master’s of Music Education from Shenandoah University where he studied under Dr. Stephanie Standerfer and Dr. David Zerull. Mr. Karos also has a Bachelor of Music Education from Shepherd University where he studied under Dr. Mark McCoy, Dr. Mark Cook, and Chris Quade and has appeared previously as a guest lecturer. He currently works with the Shepherd University Marching Ram Band as a visual instructor. Mr. Karos has also worked as the Assistant Band Director of Brunswick High School and the Band Director at Ballenger Creek Middle School.
During his time at Tuscarora, Mr. Karos has led the band program to consistent Superior ratings at both the county and state levels. He established an after school jazz program that now consists of 3 ensembles as well as a string orchestra program that now includes 2 ensembles. In addition, he has also co-founded the Middle School Honor Ensembles for students at the two feeder middle schools. Recently, Mr. Karos earned the title of Master Music Teacher for Frederick County Public Schools for which he mentors and trains new secondary music educators. He also serves as an adjudicator and clinician for many instrumental programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. Mr. Karos is a member of NAfME, Jazz Education Network, MMEA, Maryland Band Directors Association, Maryland Orchestra Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Keystone Indoor Drill Association where he serves as the Vice President. Mr. Karos believes that a quality music program in the public school setting is essential for students to thrive in all their educational endeavors and will lead them to become productive, hard-working contributors to society.