Eric Thornbury (Photo provided by Noblesville Schools)
Posted By: The Reporter January 21, 2026
Second time in four years that honor is earned by Noblesville High School educator
Submitted by Noblesville Schools
Noblesville Schools announces the high school’s director of bands and music department chair Eric Thornbury has been named the Outstanding High School Music Educator of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA).
This the second top music educator award in recent years for Noblesville High School (NHS), with former jazz director Bethany Robinson winning the honor in 2023.
Thornbury was presented with the award Jan. 17 during the Indiana All-State Jazz Ensemble Concert, which featured several of his student musicians performing in the top state honor band.
“Eric is a passionate educator who loves music and sets high standards for student excellence and achievement,” NHS Principal Dr. Janae Mobley said. “We’re thankful for his strong contributions to our school and are proud to see him recognized at this level.”
Thornbury is a veteran music educator with over 30 years of experience and joined NHS in 2011. Under his leadership, the NHS music program has earned state and/or national honors in jazz, marching band, color guard, orchestra, choir and winter percussion. Noblesville has also been named a Best Community for Music Education for the past 11 consecutive years.
A trumpet player and founding member of the Hamilton County Community Band, Thornbury has also been an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University Kokomo, is an alumnus of the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, and has served as vice president of the Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Indiana State University and a master’s in education from Indiana Wesleyan University.
