In 2016 the Rockford Symphony Orchestra created the Outstanding Music Educator Award to recognize an outstanding music educator in our community.
Current, full-time educators in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Rock counties who teach music in public or private schools are eligible to be nominated. The award will alternate each year between elementary and secondary teachers. In the 2023/24 Season, the award will be given to an elementary teacher.
Nominees should embody the following qualities:
Demonstrates a passion for music education and is a leader in the music education community
Has a documented successful music education program at his/her school
Makes a measurable difference in the lives of his/her students
The nomination must include information from the nominator as to how the candidate embodies the qualities of the award, as well as a letter of support from the administrator of the candidate. This award will be reviewed by a committee that may include RSO board members, members of the musical community, and community members at large.
Teachers who have been nominated previously but did not win can be nominated again.
The award winner, and two honorable mentions, will be announced at the RSO’s April 13, 2024 concert, with a reception to follow.
Nominations for the 2023/24 Outstanding Music Educator Award are now closed.
The winner will each receive:
Tickets to the RSO’s April 13, 2024 concert, and an invitation to a post-concert reception
A recognition plaque
$250 to spend on classroom supplies*
$250 to use for personal professional development*
Two Masterworks subscriptions to the RSO’s 2024/25 Season
*If retiring, $500 will go to the nominated educator’s school and be designated to the school music program to be used by their successor.
The honorable mentions will receive:
Tickets to the RSO’s April 13, 2024 concert, and an invitation to a post-concert reception
A recognition certificate
Two Flex subscription packages
Nomination Process:
Any person is eligible to nominate a qualified music teacher for the RSO’s Outstanding Music Educator Award. The nomination form needs to be filled out online and requires the following information:
Teacher’s Name
Teacher’s Email
Teacher’s School
School Principal
Relationship to Teacher: Student/Co-worker/Administrator/Parent/Resident
Nominator’s Name
Nominator’s Email
Please briefly share why you are nominated this music educator for this recognition, and how they embody the qualities of the award.
Upload administrator recommendation letter
If the person nominating the educator is not their director supervisor, a recommendation letter from their administrator is required to be uploaded as well. Nominations cannot be submitted to the Award Committee without this recommendation.
All Music Educator Award nominees will be invited to and recognized at both the March and April 2024 concerts. A final award winner will be selected by an Award Committee. The winners will be publicly announced at the RSO’s April 13, 2024 concert with a reception to follow the concert.
2023/24 Timeline:
August 1 Nomination form opens on the RSO’s website
February 21 Nominations due
March 1 RSO staff notify award nominees
March 1 Nomination packets sent to Award Committee for review
March 16 Nominees recognized at the RSO’s “Ladies of Swing” Concert
April 13 Winners announced publicly at the RSO’s “The French Connection” performance, with a reception to follow
Past Winners:
2023: Linda Smith, Keith Country Day School and Margaret Brandon, Brookview Elementary School
2020: Amy Jensen, Hononegah High School
2019: Brad Koloch, Kishwaukee Elementary School
2018: Jeremiah Kramper, Hononegah High School
Special Recognition for a Lifetime of Service:
Janice Mitchell, Winnebago Middle School
Special Recognition for being a Rising Star in music education:
Colleen Bartimoccia, Boylan High School
2017: Mary Shore, Johnson Elementary School
Special Recognition: Inger Langsholt, Rock Valley College
2016: Lisa Eaton, King Elementary School