Michael A. Koch
Bluffs Middle School Band Director
By Kelly Reisig
Michael A.
Koch is currently in his
twenty-first year in the classroom and his eleventh year as
Director of Bands at Bluffs Middle School in Scottsbluff, NE. He
directs the 5th Grade Beginning Band program, the 6th, 7th, and 8th
Grade Concert Bands, the Middle School Jazz Band, the Middle School
Percussion Ensemble, the Middle School Brass Ensemble, the Middle
School Woodwind Ensemble, the Middle School Marching Band and
assists with the High School Marching and Concert Bands. Prior to
coming to Scottsbluff, Mr. Koch taught in Bridgeport, Shickley and
Milford, all in Nebraska.
Mr. Koch received a Bachelor of Music degree from Hastings College
(1988) and a Master of Music Education degree from the University
of Nebraska Lincoln (1998). He received the Jack R. Snider Young
Band Director Award (1994), was recognized by the Scottsbluff
Jaycees as Outstanding Teacher (2003), and received a Citation of
Excellence from the National Band Association (2003).
Bluffs Middle School 8th
Grade Bands, under the direction of Mr. Koch, have been selected to
perform as guest band for the Nebraska State Bandmasters
Association Convention (2000), as guest band for the Nebraska Music
Educators Association Convention (2002), received a Superior Rating
and the First Place Trophy in their class at the 'Music In The
Parks' Concert Band Festival in Denver, CO (2005), were asked to
perform as a "demonstration band" for the Nebraska Music Educators
Association Convention (2005), received a Superior Rating and the
First Place Trophy in their class at the 'Music In The Parks'
Concert Band Festival in Denver, CO and received the trophy for
best Overall Junior High/Middle School Concert Band (2007 and
2008).
Mr. Koch is a Board Member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association (Middle Level Affairs), he is a staff member for Nebraska Ambassadors of Music,and a member of Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity. He is also a member of Nebraska Music Educators Association, Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, Nebraska State Education Association, and Scottsbluff Education Association.
