Dr. Nathan Koch is the newly-appointed Assistant Professor of Bassoon and Music Theory at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Glenn Korff School of Music and the newest member of the resident faculty woodwind ensemble, the Moran Woodwind Quintet.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to join the wonderful faculty of the Glenn Korff School of Music,” Koch said, “and I look forward to working with the amazing young musicians within the program to help them reach their full potential.”
Previously he served on the faculty of Sam Houston State University, where he taught applied lessons and ear training courses while maintaining an active freelancing career in the greater Houston area, including regular performances with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, the Austin Symphony, the Austin Lyric Opera, the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Victoria Bach Festival.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Endowed Dean Chuck O’Connor said, “Dr. Koch brings his great expertise in bassoon to our music program. We look forward to hearing him perform with our nationally renowned Moran Woodwind Quintet.”
In demand as a clinician, Dr. Koch has presented and performed at the conferences of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Double Reed Society, most recently in Granada, Spain. He has served as a regular judge for the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition and a regional audition proctor for the National Repertory Orchestra.
“It is with great pleasure to welcome Dr. Nathan Koch to our faculty,” said Sergio H. Ruiz, director of the Glenn Korff School of Music. “Dr. Koch comes to Nebraska with a wealth of experience, including playing with the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet for several years. We are also impressed with his musical artistry and his gentle, student-centered approach to working with students in applied and classroom settings. Dr. Koch will be a great addition to our stellar faculty, and our students will greatly benefit from his expertise.”
Also an avid arranger and transcriber, Dr. Koch has several solo and chamber works published by TrevCo Music, the leading publisher of double reed literature in the country. His projects have been performed at the Vianden International Chamber Music Festival in Luxembourg by Christin Schillinger and recorded on the Longhorn Music Label by Kristin Wolfe Jensen. An upcoming IDRS recital will also feature Dr. Koch performing his own transcription of Franck’s Violin Sonata in its entirety.
Dr. Koch earned his DMA and MM degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, under the guidance of Kristin Wolfe Jensen, and a BA from Wichita State University with Nicolasa Kuster.