John Schlabach joined the faculty of the Ohio University School of Music as trumpet professor in the fall of 1998. Prior to joining the Ohio University faculty, Schlabach taught at Murray State University, Murray, KY from 1983-1998. Schlabach was chosen "University Teacher of the Year" in 1995 by the Kentucky Music Educators Association, and in 2001, he was the recipient of the Ohio University School of Music "Distinguished Teacher" award. He earned degrees from Northwestern University and Western Illinois University.

Mr. Schlabach has presented numerous solo recitals at major universities throughout the midwest and southeast, and has extensive performing experience as a principal and solo orchestral player. He is currently principal trumpet in the Ohio Valley Symphony, and is first trumpet in OhioBrass, the faculty brass quintet in residence in the Ohio University School of Music. He also performs frequently with the Columbus and West Virginia Symphony Orchestras.

Schlabach has written a number of educational articles that have appeared in publications such as The International Trumpet Guild Journal and The Instrumentalist. His article "On Connecting the Ear and Brass Performance" appeared in all four of the professional journals of the trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba/euphonium international associations. Keith Johnson, Regents Trumpet Professor at the University of North Texas and author ofThe Art of Trumpet Playing has stated, "His pedagogical writing is among the very finest I have seen ...." Mr. Schlabach is the founder and director of the annual Ohio Trumpet Workshops, which are week-long summer camps held on the O.U. campus for serious high school trumpet players.