Mr. Wes Couch

Wesley Couch grew up in Coeburn, Virginia, a small mining town in the heart of the Appalachians.  Upon graduation from high school in 1999, he joined the United States Marine Corps as a trumpet instrumentalist. His time in the Corps began with three months at Parris Island, South Carolina for Marine Corps Recruit Training; just under one month at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina for Infantry Training; and  six months at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia attending the Armed Forces School of Music. After completing all necessary training, he spent time with the First Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton, California where he was a part of the Concert and Ceremonial Bands, the Brass Quintet, Dixieland and Party Bands, and a bugler for numerous military funerals and events. After two and a half years at the Division, he transferred to the Quantico Marine Corps Band, Quantico, Virginia, where he completed the remainder of his seven plus years of service. While there, Wes served as Principal Trumpet of the Concert Band and Brass Quintet. He performed with the Show Band and Ceremonial Band, along with the duty of ceremonial bugler. During his time he served as Platoon Sergeant, a Squad Leader, and also the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Training and Education Office. He has performed for President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the honorable Ms. Condoleezza Rice, several Congressmen and women, Governors and Mayors. Other performance highlights include 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, 2003 NYPD Memorial of 9/11 in Carnegie Hall, Ted Williams Memorial at Fenway Park, Tournament of Roses Parades, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

After separating from the Marine Corps, Wes completed his Bachelor of Fines Arts in Music Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2011. He has been a trumpet soloist with the Alexandria Band, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University Band and University Community Orchestra, and featured at an Honors Recital at Northern Virginia Community College. He served as the Principal Trumpet of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Band. He has performed with the Lakeshore Chorale, the Oshkosh Symphony, Green Bay Symphony, Vento Winds, and as co-principal trumpet of the Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra. A highlight of his recent performances is Igor Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat with members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  Wes is currently a member of the Green Bay City Band.  

Wes has directed bands at Green Bay Southwest High School and Denmark High School.  Many of his ensembles and individual students have been recognized at the local and state level and also won or placed in national competition.