Matthew Cody awarded The American Prize in Conducting

Decorah High School band instructor and Oneota Valley Community Orchestra founder and conductor Matthew Cody has been awarded The American Prize in Conducting - Orchestra, Community Division.

The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts recognizing the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community, and secondary school levels. The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually.

Cody graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor of Music specializing in music education. In 2014 he earned his Master of Music degree from Colorado State University with music education and conducting specialties.

Cody is the founder and director of the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra. The OVCO is a full symphonic orchestra that serves communities in Northeast Iowa, Southeast Minnesota, and Southwest Wisconsin.