Mr. Matthew Honken is currently in his 10th 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, while also 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.
Under his direction, Dutchmen Jazz 1 has made four appearances at the Iowa Jazz Championships, most recently in 2024. During his tenure at MOC-Floyd Valley High School the jazz program has grown in student involvement and achievement, including the addition of a 2nd jazz band and a developmental jazz group, Dutchmen Jazz Lab.
Mr. Honken currently serves as the Northwest Iowa representative on the Iowa Bandmasters Jazz Affairs committee and is the 3A representative on the Northwest Iowa District Jazz 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. Both he and his wife Rachel, 4th grade teacher at Orange City Elementary and also a graduate of Northwestern College, enjoy teaching in the MOC-Floyd Valley School District!
Education:
B.A., Northwestern College, Orange City, IA
