Oswego High School Band Director Could Be Awarded By Grammy Museum

OSWEGO, IL — An Oswego High School band director is one of 10 finalists for an award from The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum.

Associate Director Kevin Schoenbach is a contender for the 2024 Music Educator Award, which honors educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools, according to a news release from Oswego Community Unit School District 308.

"Mr. Schoenbach goes above and beyond for the students and gives his all every day while making sure the students are enjoying the process," said Stephanie San Roman, Oswego High School band director.

More than 2,000 initial nominations submitted from across all 50 states were first narrowed down in May to 212 quarter-finalists. Now, Schoenbach is one of 10 people from 10 cities across nine states still being considered.

"This whole process has been very humbling and rewarding," Schoenbach said. "It is especially gratifying because the work that is being done with our students has been featured prominently throughout different phases of the application process."

The winner of the Music Educator Award will receive a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for their school's music program. They'll also be recognized during Grammy Week, just days before the awards show.

By making it as a finalist, the other nine educators will receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching grant. Schoenbach said he plans on using the money for upgrades and special guests.

"I plan on using the money awarded to our band program to upgrade some of the little things that there is never enough money for," he said. "I would also like to bring in special clinicians or guest artists for the students to learn from because part of my application video talked about some of the great individuals that I had the opportunity to learn from over the years."