The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that Nicolas Propes, North Scott Junior High (NSJH) Band Director, has been named the inaugural Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) Music Teacher Award winner for the 2024-2025 school year! Nicolas was nominated by fellow music educator at NSJH, Ashley Knobloch. Propes will be recognized at QCSO events throughout the season and will receive two Masterworks Season Subscriptions as a thank you for his dedication to music education in the Quad Cities.
Knobloch enthusiastically nominated Propes because of his “dedication to the growth of our band program, his passion for teaching students in new and innovative ways, and the wealth of ideas he brings to the music teaching profession.”
She highlighted several key achievements in band recruitment and student engagement post-COVID. Propes successfully recruited over 121 members for the 7th grade band, setting a new enrollment record for the district. Additionally, Propes is developing his own beginning band book, drawing on his experience working with beginning band students each year. He emphasizes that music can be a lifelong passion, inspiring his students each year by inviting QCSO musicians to perform for the class and work in sectionals. Outside the classroom, he conducts the Big River Brass Band, demonstrating that music can be a lifelong passion after graduation…