On Dec. 3, 2023, OH band director Kevin Schoenbach received the best present of all: an email notifying him he was one of 25 semifinalists for the Grammy Music Awards. Then, Dec. 12, 2023, at 9:59 a.m., the Grammy website published the national 2024 Music Educator Award finalists, listing him as one of ten finalists.
“This year was the third time I’ve been involved in the Grammy music educator process. How it works is [that] somebody nominate[s] you, [and] then you can choose to move forward with the process if you want,” Schoenbach said.
The Grammy’s Music Educator Award is open to any music teacher in the United States; students, staff, and even the teachers themselves can submit nominations. After nominations, teachers receive an invitation to apply.
“I definitely would nominate Mr. Schoenbach, because he always comes to school with a really positive energy. I can really resonate with his energy,” junior Owen Driscoll said. “I was really surprised when he received this honor. I think he’s a really, really special band teacher, and getting to work with him is a pleasure.”
Each year, 10 finalists, including one winner, will receive recognition for their “remarkable impact,” according to the Grammy Museum. The winner will receive the music educator award plus $10,000 during Grammy Week and fly to Los Angeles to attend the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Finalists will receive $1,000, and semifinalists will receive $500. All cash awards also come with a matching school grant.
Students believe that Schoenbach will use the money for the betterment of our school.
“I think, with his character, he’ll put it all to the right use with our music program. I know we’re definitely in need of some new instruments, equipment, and stuff. I’m sure it’ll go to all our different ensembles, making it a better program,” Driscoll said.
For scoring, the Grammy Museum also states that judges utilize electronic scoring for the initial applications. Then the identified quarter-finalists chosen submit “supplemental materials,” reviewed by a series of screening committee members, aiding in the selection process of semi-finalists.
“[T]here is a long application that you fill out, and from that they whittle down from over 2000 applications to around 200. Those are the quarterfinalists, and this is my third time being a part of that group,” Schoenbach explained. “From there, on my birthday, I received an email that I was moving onto the semifinals, which are the last 25. Needless to say, I was shocked and speechless when I received the phone call from the Grammy Museum.”
The Blue Ribbon Committee selects ten finalists and recommends the winner, who will receive recognition during Grammy Week activities. The Board of Trustees of The Recording Academy approves the committee’s final decision, according to the Grammy Museum.
“The top 10 this year is a really cool cross-section of music educators: teachers that are in the classroom and teachers that are on the podium. We have all become friends on social media because of this, and you can see the amazing things that these people are doing in their communities, and it gives another resource to us as we are teaching our own students,” Schoenbach said.
The Grammy site states that applicants will be evaluated based on evidence they:
- Have made a measurable difference in the lives of students.
- Have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.
- Are exemplars of the best in the field.
- Have shown a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools.
- Have made a significant impact on their school and community.
But even if Schoenbach doesn’t win, students like Driscoll feel “really proud” to be a part of the OH music program.
“The entire process was a lot of work. To be honest, I had a lot of thoughts about not even doing it and being happy [to be] in the quarterfinals because it’s so much work. But I learned a lot about myself and how strongly I feel that my job is an important job. I’ve also been able to reconnect with old students and new colleagues along the way, so I’m so glad I did,” Schoenbach said.
Hello, I'm Gianna! This is my second year on staff, now as a senior in high school. I'm the head of the News and Artwork sections. I'm currently in Color Guard, B.I.O.N.I.C, NAHS, NEHS, Quill & Scroll Honors Society, and Senior Class Council!
