Ram Bands Staff

About the Directors

Mr. Jason Morris - Director of Instrumental Music

Mr. Morris holds a Master’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, (2012) and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, summa cum laude, from Mount Union College (2003). While at Mount Union, Mr. Morris participated in many musical activities including the Purple Raider Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, and various other musical productions.  In addition to these groups, he was active in the OMEA collegiate chapter at MUC, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity (Iota Lambda Chapter), Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity, and performed regularly as a soloist on the marimba. 

In his fifteenth year at Upper Sandusky, Mr. Morris’ duties as Director of Instrumental Music include the Marching Ram Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, and Bleu Midnight (the USHS jazz band).  In addition to these ensembles, Mr. Morris works with music students in various classes across the district.  

Prior to his appointment at Upper Sandusky, Mr. Morris served the communities of the Fairless Local Schools (Ohio) as Director of Beginning and Intermediate Bands and Assistant Director of the Falcon Marching Band as well as coordinator of  percussion instruction and Music Lead Teacher. His work and dedication to the Fairless students and community earned him recognition as the district's "Rookie of the Year" in 2007.

A recipient of numerous honors, Mr. Morris was nominated by students for the Ohio Teacher of the Year award in 2020.  He was among the first recipients of the Brent Cannon Music Education Alumni Achievement Award from Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity (2019), was elected to membership in the American School Band Director’s Association (2018), received the Mayor's Award for Service to the Community in conjunction with the Key to the City of Upper Sandusky being awarded to the music department (2017), and received nominations by current and former students for the Grammy Music Educator award (2015 and 2017).  Additionally, he received recognition for Outstanding Service to Education through the Upper Sandusky Education Association in 2012, he was included in the publication of the 2011 Edition of Who’s Who in America, and was awarded both Mount Union's Ketcham Prize for Music Education and the Kappa Kappa Psi National J. Lee Burke Award.  Mr. Morris was on the writing committee for the revisioning of Ohio’s Academic Content Standards for Music in both 2012 and 2019, has been granted honorary membership in the Southwest District of Kappa Kappa Psi, and has been part of numerous grant-funded projects for his classrooms (including “The Amazing Arts Connection,” “Developing Musicianship,” “Sightreading Success,” and “Aural Evaluation of Performance”).  

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Morris currently serves as an adjudicator for Solo & Ensemble and Large Group events for the Ohio Music Education Association, a guest clinician/conductor with area high school bands.  He has previously served as the Treasurer for the Upper Sandusky Educaton Association (2012-2022), President of OMEA District 2 (2013-2015) and National Vice President for Student Affairs for Kappa Kappa Psi (2007-2009).  He also remains an active performer and enjoys attending sporting events (especially at Ohio State and other colleges/universities), spending time with family and friends, scuba diving, and playing golf.

Mr. Morris’ professional memberships include the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), the National Association for Music Education (MENC), the American School Band Director’s Association (ASBDA), the Society for Research in Music Education, Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, and The Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the National Education Association, The Ohio Education Association, and the Upper Sandusky Education Association.

Mr. Ken Hoffman - Director of USMS Bands and Assistant Director of USHS Bands

Mr. Hoffman holds a Master's Degree (2014) and Bachelor of Music Education (2010) degree from the Ohio State University. During his undergraduate career, Mr. Hoffman was a member of the OSU Band, Collegiate Wind Ensemble, and the Symphonic Band. He also performed with the OSU Tuba & Euphonium ensemble, conducting at the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference in 2006. Mr. Hoffman was active in the Beta Xi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia men's music fraternity, as well as Off-the-Lake Productions, the Honor Scholars program, and the Men's Glee Club. While pursuing graduate coursework and research, Mr. Hoffman guest conducted the Ohio State University Athletic Band for hockey and volleyball games televised on the Big-10 Network and at the Newark Classic, held on Les Wexner's estate.

As a composer, Mr. Hoffman has written for brass quintet, children's choir, men's chorus, piano, and wind ensemble. Some of his works are available at www.secondaprattica.org.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Hoffman served for six years as Director of Bands at the Miami Trace Local School District in Washington Court House, Ohio. Mr. Hoffman's bands have received Superior ratings at OMEA District contests and have performed for State adjudication. While frequent performers in the local community, Mr. Hoffman's bands have performed at OSU Skull Sessions with TBDBITL, the University of Cincinnati, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were invited to perform at the 2020 New Year's Parade in London, England. Additionally, Mr. Hoffman served as President-Elect of District 16, where he was involved with the commissioning of a new work by William Owens.

Outside of school, Mr. Hoffman lives with his wife, Erin, and three children: John, Olivia, and Lucy. He performs regularly with the Nationwide Children's Hospital Orchestra, the Columbus Big Band, and various community bands. Mr. Hoffman enjoys oil painting, reading, silent films, sci-fi (especially Star Trek), and history. He is also a master of puns and dad-jokes.

Mr. Hoffman's professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Men's Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Fraternity, the American Composer's Forum, American Society of Composers and Publishers, the Ohio Music Education Association, and the American Band Director's Association (elected in 2020).