Murray High School band director Tim Zeiss has won the 2022-23 Kentucky Music Education Association High School Teacher of the Year Award. Zeiss is in his 13th year as Murray High's band director.
KMEA will present him the award and a $500 contribution to the school's band program Feb. 10 in Louisville.
As Murray High's band director, Zeiss has led it to grow from 60 members to 110, by offering a variety of bands in which students can participate. Those bands include concert, jazz, pep, and marching, along with two winter guards, indoor drumline, and several small ensembles.
The Murray High Band has won numerous local, state, and national awards. They include three marching band state titles, four state runner-up awards, and the Class A 2021 Bands of America Grand National Championship.
Zeiss led the MHS marching band to regional championships every year. The band won the John Philip Sousa Sudler Shield in 2021, an honor only four U.S. band programs won. KMEA District and All-State ensembles also recognized numerous Tiger Band students.
In 2016, Zeiss won the prestigious Phi Beta Mu Young Band Director Award and twice won KMEA First District High School Teacher of the Year honor. In 2020, Zeiss won McDonald's "Teach It Forward" Outstanding Educator Award. Murray State University also named him to its 2021 edition of "40 under 40" class of distinguished alumni.
Zeiss said his greatest pride comes from being married to his wife of 16 years, Carol, and being parents with her to their two children, Caleb (10) and Abigail (7).
