A special award of
The John Philip Sousa
Foundation
Diane Koutsulis recently retired after an amazing thirty-eight year career. She spent the last 26 years of that career at Green Valley High School in Henderson, NV, where she saved as the Director of Bands as well as the Arts Department Chair. Prior to Green Valley she served in the same capacity at Las Vegas High School.
The Bandworld Legion of Honor was established in 1989 to honor, over the course of a year, eight of the finest band directors in our business.
Recipients have taught for at least fifteen years, have maintained a very high-quality concert band program, and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music.
Each is honored at the annual Sousa Foundation awards ceremony during the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
Chairman of the Legion of Honor Committee is Terry Austin, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Diane Koutsulis recently retired after an amazing thirty-eight year career. She spent the last 26 years of that career at Green Valley High School in Henderson, NV, where she saved as the Director of Bands as well as the Arts Department Chair. Prior to Green Valley she served in the same capacity at Las Vegas High School.
Notable honors include:
2015 Induction into the American Bandmasters Association
1999 Milken Family Foundation Excellence in Education
2004 Performance of Green Valley HS Symphonic Band at the Midwest
2004 Nevada Education Hall of Fame (1st Nevada high school teacher included)
Koutsulis also freely give back of herself to her profession in many ways including:
- Nevada Music Educators – State Executive for 16 years
- Nevada Music Educators – Band Chair for 5 years
- National Band Association – State Chair
- NBA – Revelli Committee Member
- ABA Music Education Committee Member
- ABA Teacher Support Network Coordinator
When it comes to what was most important in shaping her illustrious career Koutsulis is quick to gi9ve credit outside of herself. She says, “There were several factors that were important in shaping my career. First in importance were my parents. They were immigrants from Greece that taught me that you could have anything you dreamed of, as long as you were not afraid to work hard. This work ethic has never failed me.
The teachers that were my mentors–Chris Izzo in Illinois, Frank Wickes at LSU, and Margene Pappas in Oswego, were amazing leaders that always pushed me to be my very best, and helped to harness my passion for music.
Lastly, my colleagues that continued to work with me, that continued to teach me, that took time to listen and work with my groups–these people gave selflessly to help me throughout my career. They were the local university professors, the conducting symposia teachers, and the “competition”. They taught me that we’re all in this together, and I’ve never forgotten that lesson.”
As she look at her evolving philosophy she says, “My philosophy has evolved throughout my career. At this point in my life, I believe that mentorship is extremely important. People helped me when I was young, and I feel that it’s my duty to help other young teachers. I believe in excellence. Always. My personal saying is “everything counts”. It’s a bit of a play on words, but it means just what it means, everything is important, including the details. Commitment to excellence a lesson that is so important as we work with young people and they go out into the world to make their lives. This is our opportunity to shape the future.”
