John Lack currently serves as the Director of Orchestras and Marching Band at Buchanan High School in Clovis, California. His responsibilities include leading the Buchanan Marching Band, Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra, as well as overseeing the school’s highly competitive winter season programs.

Under his leadership, his ensembles consistently earn superior ratings at festival. The Buchanan Marching Band has been a Bands of America (BOA) Regional Finalist multiple times, and the Chamber Orchestra was honored as an invited ensemble at the 2023 Music for All National Festival.

Prior to his tenure at Buchanan, John was the Director of Instrumental Music at Clovis West High School from 2007 to 2017. During that time, the Clovis West Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the 2010 Music for All National Concert Band Festival. The Clovis West Marching Band also achieved significant national success, earning recognition as a 16-time BOA Regional Finalist, 11-time Class AAA Champion, 2-time Regional Champion, and a 2016 Grand National Semifinalist.

In recognition of his excellence in education, John received the prestigious Clovis Unified School District Crystal Award in 2014—one of only 36 recipients selected from nearly 5,000 employees. He was named Clovis West High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Teacher of the Year for 2012–2013, and in 2016, was invited to join the Conn-Selmer VIP Program, a national network of leading music educators.

John earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Whitworth University and completed his Master’s Degree in Conducting through the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in 2005. He lives in the Fresno area with his wife, Nicole, an elementary school principal, and their children Joanna, Christopher, and Salvador—as well as their beloved dogs, Buddy and Chiquita.