About Us
A unique celebration of rhythm and melody
All five members of Knock on Wood can be seen playing with bands, percussion ensembles, theatrical productions, church services, and other musical events throughout south central Pennsylvania and western Maryland. They decided to join forces to bring a unique brand of musical entertainment to the area.
Meet The Band
 Marlin Barnes |  Jay Brown |  Jill Marshall-Work |
|---|---|---|
 Rogers Myers |  Christina Roncin |
Marlin Barnes grew up in the Mercersburg area. He received a teaching degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught instrumental music for 34 years. Most of that time was in the Tuscarora School District where he ran the elementary and middle school orchestra program. Marlin has taught private lessons for more than 30 years. Most of those years have been at the Cumberland Valley School of Music. Marlin has performed with many bands and orchestras in the local area including the Hagerstown Municipal Band, the Mercersburg Community Chorus and Orchestra, the Cumberland Valley Chamber Players, the Maryland Symphony, and the Totem Pole Playhouse.
Jay Brown retired in 2016 after 30 years of service as a member of the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 1985 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After successfully auditioning for the US Army Band in 1986, he continued his percussion studies, earning his Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Currently, Jay and his wife Kathy live in Waynesboro, PA where they raise alpacas.
Jill Marshall-Work started playing marimba more than five decades ago; some favorite gigs include playing in a 50-piece national marimba orchestra, a mariachi band, a Nashville Network series, a rodeo, and a summer-long gig at an amusement park. Jill studied percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy and Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music and holds a Bachelor of Arts in music (theory) and a masters in library science. She is a musical theatre songwriter, a graphic designer, and has worked as a theatrical props artisan and taught music, theatre, art, library, and STEM. She currently works as a freelance STEM coach, presenter, and musician/arranger/ composer, dba Creative Jill.
Roger Myers hails from Williamsport, MD and graduated from Shepherd College with a degree in Music Education. He began as a substitute teacher in Washington County, eventually teaching music full time at Grace Academy in Hagerstown. He returned to Shepherd College as a part-time instructor in percussion and established a percussion ensemble. Sensing a call to Christian service, he earned an M.Div from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN and began serving in pastoral ministry. Roger has remained active in music, performing with various groups including Waynesboro Community Band, Hollidaysburg Community Band, Hagerstown Municipal Band, and playing numerous musicals for Great Commission Schools in Altoona, PA. He is the founder and director/arranger for Percussion Praise, a large percussion ensemble which performs annually at Brandts Church during the Christmas season.
Christina Roncin of Hagerstown, MD, holds both a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Shepherd University and a Master’s in Educational Technology from Loyola University, Maryland. She has studied percussion with Dr. Michelle Humphreys, Paul Melville, and Brad O’Connor. Christina has been employed with Washington County Public Schools as both a band and orchestra director. She is currently the band director at Boonsboro, Greenbrier, Sharpsburg, and Pleasant Valley Elementary Schools. In addition to teaching, Christina instructs the front ensemble for the North Hagerstown HUB Marching Band and the North Hagerstown Indoor Percussion Ensemble. She has performed with several groups around the area, including the Hagerstown Municipal Band, Mercersburg Area Community Chorus, and the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Sunday School Orchestra.