[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. MAX COLLEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to join with 
students, parents, staff, and friends of the Northview Public Schools 
to mark the retirement of Mr. Max Colley, Jr. I have had the privilege 
of attending several exceptional Veteran's Day concerts directed by 
Max, and I am very pleased to honor him today.
  Max Colley, Jr., received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin 
College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his Masters of Arts degree from 
Grand Valley State University. He has taught music at Northview since 
1970 and served as a saxophone instructor at Grand Rapids Community 
College and Calvin College, and was Associate Professor of Music at 
Calvin where he taught the jazz band.
  Throughout his career, Max has received widespread recognition for 
his considerable talents in directing and teaching music. In 1985, Max 
was the first teacher in the Northview District to be recognized by the 
School Board for ``Exemplary Service'' and has been awarded the 
``Outstanding Teacher Award'' of Northview High School on three 
occasions. In 1988, he was selected Michigan's ``Band Teacher of the 
Year'' by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), 
and he received the ``National Impact Teacher of the Year'' award given 
by Cedarville University. In 1989, he was selected as conductor of the 
first West Michigan All-Star Band. In 2006, he was awarded the 
``Outstanding Educator Award'' by the Michigan Competing Band 
Association. In 2009, he was director of the MSBOA Youth Arts All-State 
Jazz Band. Under his direction, the Northview marching band has placed 
in the top 10 bands numerous times with the 2009 Marching Band winning 
2nd place this past fall. Recently, he was named the MSBOA District X 
Teacher of the Year.
  However, as a devoted teacher, Max is most proud of his students' 
accomplishments. Northview students have received numerous DOWNBEAT and 
International Association for Jazz Education awards. His bands have 
performed at every Detroit Jazz Festival, and the Montreux, Switzerland 
Jazz Festival two times. They have performed at the Midwest Conference 
five times, have been on eight European Tours, and have had 48 students 
selected to the All-State Jazz Band in just the past 12 years. They 
have won several university jazz festivals in the State of Michigan and 
have received first-division ratings at every MSBOA Festival since 
1975. They also were selected by Lincoln Center of New York to perform 
at the Essentially Ellington Band Directors Academy.
  I sincerely wish Max the best in his upcoming retirement, and commend 
him for his service to our community. May his music never end!

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