Kosch wins Downbeat Student Music Award

Kosch wins Downbeat Student Music Award

calendar icon28 Apr 2015    

John Kosch
John Kosch

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music Junior John Kosch has been named a winner in Downbeat magazine’s 38th annual Student Music Awards.

Kosch won the Downbeat in Original Compositions – Large Ensemble; Undergraduate College Outstanding Compositions: “A New Hope”.

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.

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.

UNL Glenn Korff School of Music Director John W. Richmond said of Kosch, “John Kosch is an example of the very best that’s possible with our innovative curriculum that blends music teacher certification with music composition. John will be a superb music educator with national award-winning accolades in music composition. I simply couldn’t be more proud of him.”

In 2014, Kosch also won an Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award.

"I am so happy for John with this major recognition of his music. He is an abundantly talented young composer blessed with a strong musical mind and artistic sensibility that is energized by a diligent work ethic and a vibrant spirit of inquiry. John has written compelling works in an array of media and styles ranging from music for jazz orchestra to art song to an upcoming complete halftime show for the Cornhusker Marching Band's Fall 2015 season! He is an excellent example of the emerging composer-educator and it has been my privilege to serve as his mentor," said UNL’s Dr. Eric Richards, from whom Kosch currently studies composition. 

The DownBeat Student Music Awards is an esteemed competition for middle school, high school, and college students to showcase their talent and be recognized for their musical skills. As part of the DownBeat Student Music Awards competition, students record their music on a CD and submit it for judging by professional musicians and educators from across the country. Judging criteria is based on musicianship, creativity, improvisation, technique, sound quality and balance, excitement and authority. Awards are given in 15 categories in five different divisions.