Sparky Koerner is in his 26th year as Director of Instrumental Music / Jazz Studies at College of the Mainland located in Texas City, TX. He also serves as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at COM. Mr. Koerner was recognized as College of the Mainland’s Piper Professor Nominee in 2001 and named Outstanding Teacher for 2001 at COM. Sparky is a Professor of Music and directs the College of the Mainland Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo. The Ensemble and Combo have won 1st place honors at various jazz festivals through out the state of Texas and many individuals in the ensemble have received awards for “Outstanding Musicianship” and “Outstanding Soloist”. The Jazz Combo recently performed by invitation at the North Texas Jazz Festival held in Addison, TX. Many guest artist have performed with his groups include: Marvin Stamm, Bobby Watson, Chase Sanborn, Chris Vadala, Bill Mays, Rich Matteson, Dr. Bill Lee, Jack Peterson, Kim Richmond, Clay Jenkins, Bruce Foreman, Mike Steinel and Tony Campise, to name a few.The COM Jazz Ensemble was the backup group for Doc Severinsen (1988) and Diane Schurr (1990) for the Galveston Island Jazz Festival performances at the Grand 1894 Opera House. Sparky is a trumpet player who performs in many types of playing ensembles: including the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Sunday, The Galvanized Brass and leader of “Sparky’s Jazz Express”. He is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 65-699. His trumpet teachers have included George Foss, Leonard Candelaria, John Haynie and Don Jacoby. Sparky is the current President-Elect of the Texas Jazz Educators Association, he has also served for 10 years as the Texas Music Educators Association High School All State Jazz Ensemble Audition Chairman and was Audition Coordinator for the IAJE South Central Regional Conference held in April 2005. He is the Past - President for the International Association of Jazz Educators Texas Unit. He has served on the IAJE Resource Team for Community Colleges the past 15 years. Mr. Koerner served as the Music Coordinator for the Texas Teachers Community College Association for the year 99-00. During the 1996 IAJE Conference in Atlanta, GA. he directed the IAJE All Star Community College Jazz Ensemble. Sparky has served as organizer for the Texas Community College All State Jazz Ensemble, as well as organizer of the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Conference Jazz Festival. Sparky served as the Executive Director of the Galveston Island Jazz Festival from 1991-1994. Sparky received his degrees from Louisiana State University (B.M.) and the University of North Texas (M.M.E.). While at UNT he received the 1:00 O’Clock award for his contributions to the Lab Band program. He was also named in Who’s Who Among Students at the University of North Texas, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. Sparky is also in Who’s Who Among American Teachers. He was named in 2006 into the Biltmore Who’s Who. In 2003 he received the IAJE Outstanding Service Award. Sparky lives in Texas City with his wife Chris and their three children, Aaron, Heather and Chad and his grandchildren Jareth, Kennedy and Collin.