Mike Coyne, former band and choral director at Hoven High School, is the recipient of the 2006-07 NFHS Music Association “Outstanding Music Educator” Award for South Dakota.
Mike describes his career as a music educator by saying the “My career as a music teacher began and ended in the small rural community of Hoven where I was the sole band and choral director for 39 years.” During those 39 years, approximately thirty-five of Mike’s students achieved membership in the South Dakota All-State Band. His solo and ensemble students have consistently earned Division “I” ratings at the region music contest.

The Hoven concert band had thirty-nine consecutive years of Division “I” Large Group Contest ratings and his concert choir had twenty-eight years of “I” ratings. Under Coyne’s direction, the Hoven High School marching band had a history of success in both parade and field competitions. Although enrollment numbers placed the school in Class “C” for competition (the smallest division in South Dakota), Hoven not only won the Class “C” competitions but also won the “Over-all Trophy” on numerous occasions. In 1984, the Hoven marching band won first place at the Winnipeg, Canada Exposition Field Competition.

Coyne received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Northern State University in
Aberdeen and his Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He has held numerous leadership positions in the music community including two terms on the South Dakota Bandmasters Executive Board and two terms on the SDHSAA Music Advisory
Committee. In 1985, Coyne was named the South Dakota Bandmaster of the Year.

Although he retired at the end of the 2005 school year, he continues to be involved in music. For the past four years he has served as the conductor of the Cathedral of the Prairies Area Concert Choir that performs annually with the South Dakota Symphony.