WUHS Bands

About me

Dr. John Oelrich is the Director of Bands at Waterford Union High School (WUHS) where he leads the marching, concert, and jazz programs as well as teaching lessons and courses in general and AP music theory, guitar, and music technology. Prior to his appointment at WUHS, John was the Director of Bands at the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) Department of Music for 14 years. His primary responsibilities at UTM included conducting the Wind Ensemble, teaching instrumental conducting, instrumental methods, supervising student teachers, and the oversight and continued development of the university bands. He was also highly active in the area of recruiting and outreach, visiting and working with approximately twenty schools each year.

Under John’s direction, the UT Martin Wind Ensemble was invited to perform a feature concert for the Tennessee Music Education Association’s 2015 State Conference. The Wind Ensemble has been active in commissioning and premiering new works for wind band, including pieces by composers Brian Balmages, Gary Nash, Michael Gilbertson, Viet Cuong, Steven Danyew, Adam Gorb, Derek Jenkins, Kenyon Wilson, and Stephen Barr.

John’s recent engagements as a guest conductor and clinician include the UT Martin Honor Band Festival, Robertson County Honor Band, Gateway Music Association Honor Band, Kentucky All-District #1 Middle School and High School Honor Bands, Kentucky All-District #3 High School Symphonic Band, All-East 11-12 Red Band, Tennessee Mid-State 9-10 Gold Band, Tennessee All-West Middle School Blue Band, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Concert Band, and the Wisconsin School Music Association State Honors Band. Active as a trumpeter, John regularly performs with local churches, substitutes with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, and teaches a small studio of high school students.

In the summer of 2018, John led a travel study to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic to research and perform Classical period chamber wind works, including performances at Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria and Emauzy Monastery, in Prague, Czech Republic. In summer of 2025, John led a travel study to Italy where participants visited major cities, experienced Italian culture, and presented performances at historic locations.

In addition to his work on campus, John is also highly engaged in community service. In the summer of 2013, he founded the Martin Community Band, the first standing community band in the city since 1915. The ensemble performs 4-5 concerts each summer season and regularly involves more than 100 musicians. In addition, he founded, and leads the jazz band for, the After-School Arts Program, an arts-centered after school program for the county’s middle school students.

Prior to his appointment at UT-Martin, John was the Doctoral Conducting Associate at The Ohio State University. He taught at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa for several years, including seven years as an adjunct and one year full-time as Interim Director of Instrumental Music. Prior to his time at Loras, Oelrich spent ten years teaching middle school and high school band in Iowa and Wisconsin.

After growing up on a dairy farm near Spencer, Wisconsin, John earned his Bachelor of Science in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville, a Master of Music degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The Ohio State University. When not involved in music or teaching related activities, John enjoys spending time with his family, reading, hiking, motorcycling, and amateur astronomy. He and his family reside in Martin, TN.