Faculty & Staff

Joe Koppel serves as the Coordinator of MECA (Music Education Center for America) Continuing Education program at VanderCook College of Music.  Joe is a proud alumnus of VanderCook College of Music, graduating with his Masters Degree in Music Education in 2001.  Joe earned his Type 75 Administrative Certification from North Central College in 2008. 

Joe Koppel has been the Director of Bands at Jackson Middle School in Villa Park since 1998, teaching grades 4-8.  He directs the Jackson Area Preparatory and Intermediate Bands, the Jackson Concert and Symphonic Bands, and the Jackson Jazz Lab.  Under his direction, the Jackson Symphonic Band has consistently earned Division I ratings at District and State Level Contests.  In 2012 the Jackson Symphonic Band was chosen to perform at the prestigious University of Illinois SuperState Band Festival and in 2015 was designated ‘Honors’ Status at IGSMA State Festival.

Joe was chosen by his peers in 2023 as a Quinlan and Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator (COMEA).  In addition, Joe earned the Cloyd Myers Memorial Award for outstanding service to the Illinois Grade School Music Association in 2023.  He currently serves as the IGSMA District VII CoChair and the ILMEA District 9 Jr. Band Representative.