Kosch named Young Jazz Composer Award Winner
calendar icon06 Feb 2014
Glenn Korff School of Music Sophomore John Kosch is one of the recipients of the 2014 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, as announced by ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams.
Established by The ASCAP Foundation in 2002 to encourage gifted jazz composers under the age of 30, the program carries the name of the great trumpeter and ASCAP member Herb Alpert in recognition of The Herb Alpert Foundation’s multi-year financial commitment to support this unique program. The recipients, who receive cash awards, range in age from 11 to 29, and are selected through a juried national competition.
A Lincoln native, Kosch is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music education with an emphasis in composition. Although primarily a pianist, he has played a variety of instruments at the university, including percussion, french horn and organ, in addition to his membership in several vocal ensembles.
“His work as a composer reflects his diverse musical interests, exploring an array of media and styles ranging from music for jazz orchestra to art song,” said Associate Professor Eric Richards, from whom Kosch currently studies composition.
In addition to his studies, Kosch is also an active performer and educator in the Lincoln community. As a pianist, he has appeared with groups such as the Bobby Layne Orchestra and the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra. As a teacher, he assists in the instruction of the Lincoln Southwest High School drumline and works as a private music instructor.
Kosch worked on his winning piece, "Only You," as part of his Fall 2013 composition portfolio. The UNL Jazz Orchestra recorded his contest submission and then performed the piece on the 5th Annual New Music for Big Band from UNL concert in December.
Another UNL music education alumnus and jazz composer, Paul Krueger (B.M.E. 2009), was also awarded one of this year's ASACP awards. Krueger is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore.
Commenting on the awards, Williams said, "The talented young music creators we recognize through this program represent the future of jazz composition. We congratulate the recipients and extend thanks to the dedicated panel of ASCAP composers who selected the honorees. We are delighted to partner with the Herb Alpert Foundation in this significant endeavor that represents one of the brightest moments in ASCAP’s centennial year."
The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award Winners will be honored during ASCAP’s Jazz Wall of Fame event on June 9 at the New York Institute of Technology in New York City.