Tim Zeiss
Murray, Ky., Jan. 4, 2023—Tim Zeiss, Murray High School Band Director, has been named the 2022-23 Kentucky Music Education Association (KMEA) High School Teacher of the Year Award Recipient. Zeiss is in his fifteenth year as a public educator, and in his thirteenth year as the MHS band director.
The KMEA and the Recognitions Committee, expressed their heartfelt appreciation for Zeiss’s service to the profession and congratulate him on receiving the High School Teacher of the Year Award.
Zeiss will be presented this award and a $500 contribution to the MHS Band program on Friday, February 10, 2023 on the Upper Concourse state at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.
In the time that Zeiss has served as the MHS band director, the band has grown from 60 members to 110 members and offers a variety of opportunities to the students of Murray High School- concert band, jazz band, pep band, marching band, two winter guards, indoor drumline, and a variety of small ensembles. The band has won numerous local, state, and national awards including three marching band state championships and four state champion runner-up titles, and the Class A 2021 Bands of America Grand National Champion. Since 2010, the MHS marching band has been named region champions every year under Zeiss’s tenure. The band was just recently awarded the John Philip Sousa Sudler Shield in 2021- an award that was only given to four band programs in the nation. Murray Tiger Band students are often selected to KMEA District and All State ensembles.
In 2016, Zeiss was awarded the prestigious Phi Beta Mu Young Band Director Award and has twice been named KMEA 1st District HS Teacher of the Year. In 2020, Zeiss was listed as a McDonald's Teach It Forward Outstanding Educator and was also listed in the 2021Murray State University's "40 under 40" class of distinguished alumni.
Zeiss is most proud to be married to his wife of 16 years, Carol, and their two children- Caleb (10) and Abigail (7)