Adjunct professor of music Dr. John Kosch delights in serving at Concordia Nebraska

Dr. John Kosch serves Concordia University, Nebraska as an adjunct professor of music. He teaches private composition lessons to students and has also taught jazz history. He recently received his doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“Shortly after completing my Master of Music at the University of Kansas, I moved back to Lincoln, my hometown, and began my doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,” he said. “For three years I took courses at UNL and taught music theory and composition as a graduate teaching assistant while also teaching at Concordia. Last year, I completed my written and oral comprehensive examinations and wrote and defended my dissertation piece, a multi-movement work for voice, percussion and electronics. I organized and conducted the premiere of the work “The Ballad of the Wheel” at my final doctoral recital in Weller Hall last April. Concordia Nebraska professor of percussion, Bennet Jandreau, helped perform the work.”
Kosch has served at Concordia Nebraska for four years. Last spring, he was awarded a student award from Downbeat Magazine for best original composition for large ensemble for his big band chart “Syncing…”
“It’s profoundly rewarding to help students actualize their artistic vision,” he said. “They often don’t realize how close they are to greatness, and they are so grateful when I can help them cross that threshold.
“I have been absolutely floored by how supportive the Concordia Nebraska community is.”
He said he greatly enjoys the university’s supportive and caring community and is especially impressed with the music faculty and music students.
“I have been absolutely floored by how supportive the Concordia Nebraska community is,” he said. “I was shocked when I showed up to our first student composers’ recital and practically the entire music faculty and much of the student body was in attendance. That certainly doesn’t happen at every school!”
He said he admires the sincere devotion of university faculty, staff and students to share their faith.
“Students often bring insightful questions and comments about scripture and liturgy to their music lessons, making faith an integral part of every conversation,” he said.
In July, Kosch and his wife Kim celebrated seven years of marriage. They have a black cat, Dewey, who is named after Jack Black’s character in School of Rock. He regularly plays keyboard for services at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, and he is also teaching a class in digital audio production at Nebraska Wesleyan University this semester. In his free time, he enjoys learning foreign languages, watching standup comedy and playing with his eight nieces and nephews.
Concordia University, Nebraska’s music programs offer students rigorous preparation to glorify God in their future vocations through the study and performance of music. Through applied lessons, participation in one of the university’s outstanding ensembles or academic music pursuits, hundreds of students of any major can make great music and lifelong friendships at Concordia.
Interested in the music program at Concordia University, Nebraska?
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