About

Mr. Matthew Honken is currently in his 8th year as Co-Director of Bands at MOC-Floyd Valley High School. His responsibilities include directing Dutchmen Jazz 1 and the 9th-10th Concert Band and co-directing the Pride of the Dutchmen Marching Band. In addition, he assists at MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School by teaching 6th through 8th grade band lessons.

During his tenure, the MOC-Floyd Valley High School jazz program has seen growth in competitive achievement and student involvement. Under his direction, Dutchmen Jazz 1 has made two appearances at the Iowa Jazz Championships, most recently in 2022. In addition, Dutchmen Jazz 1 has placed in the top three bands in each of the past five competitive seasons at the Northwest Iowa Bandmasters District Jazz Festival. The number of students involved in the jazz program has grown to include two additional jazz ensembles, Dutchmen Jazz 2 and Dutchmen Jazz Lab.

Mr. Honken’s 9th-10th Concert Band performs four times throughout the year, showcasing music of a variety of styles and difficulties. The band received the Iowa High School Music Association’s highest honor for the ensemble: a Division 1 rating in May of 2019 and again in May of 2022.

Mr. Honken currently serves as the Northwest Iowa representative on the Iowa Bandmasters Jazz Affairs committee and is the Class 3A representative on the Northwest Iowa District Jazz Advisory Committee.

He grew up in Sibley, Iowa, and graduated from Sibley-Ocheyedan High School.  Furthering education brought him to Northwestern College, and he graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Instrumental Music Education. 

---

Education

Bachelor of Arts
Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa