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.
Chelsea Sammons, QCSO Director of Education and Community Engagement, believes that “Mr. Propes strives to ensure that every student is known and represented in the classroom. His dedication to students is contagious, and he inspires me to implement similar practices in all QCSO music education programs.”
Propes says, “I am incredibly honored to have been recognized for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Music Teacher Award. The music teaching team we have put together in the North Scott School District is fantastic and I could not do what I do without the help of many people, so while my name is on this award, it is really a team effort starting in the classroom and going straight up to the district administration that allows us to provide a high-quality music education at North Scott. The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is a world-class organization, and I am thankful for all they do for music education across our area. Thank you for honoring me with this recognition, but most of all thank you for the wonderful opportunities you bring to our students.”
Propes has taught for 21 years, starting in the Central Iowa and Pleasant Valley School Districts, working with beginning and high school students.
Brian Baxter, QCSO Executive Director, said, “Congratulations to Nick Propes, the inaugural recipient of the QCSO Music Teacher Award! Nick embodies what it means to be a great music educator, inspiring students through his passion for music and unwavering dedication to their growth.”
Propes will be recognized at Symphony Day on Thursday, February 27 at 9:00 AM at the Adler Theatre and Masterworks VI: Rhapsody in Blue on Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 PM at the Adler Theatre, where he will be joined by North Scott District music students who are attending the concert together as part of the Students @ Symphony program.
ABOUT THE QUAD CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra, based in Davenport, IA, is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the Quad Cities region by performing high-quality, live symphonic music that engages and entertains audiences. With a rich history dating back over a century, the QCSO continues to be a pillar of the arts in the community, showcasing world-class talent and fostering a love for classical music.