BIOGRAPHY
Mike Korson is currently a music arranger, performer and educator based out of Dallas, Texas. He is serving as an Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Texas A&M-Commerce for the Fall 2024 semester. He held a similar position at Texas Christian University in Fall 2021. Additionally, he has taught saxophone in the McKinney Independent School District for the past ten years.
Mr. Korson completed graduate work at Texas Christian University with a master’s degree in saxophone performance where he was the lead alto saxophonist in the TCU Jazz Ensemble, soprano saxophonist in the graduate saxophone quartet, and performed with the TCU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony. During his studies at TCU, Mr. Korson was a student of Professor Joe Eckert and served as the graduate assistant in jazz studies. He is currently studying toward a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance with a related field in Music Business at the University of North Texas where he serves as a Teaching Fellow for the Saxophone Studio.
Mr. Korson made his orchestral debut in 2010 with the TCU Symphony Orchestra performing Alexandre Glazunov’s Concerto for Saxophone as the winner of their annual concerto competition. He appeared with the orchestra again in 2014, performing Henri Tomasi’s Concerto for Saxophone. As a freelance musician, he frequently performs as a jazz and classical saxophonist for musical groups such as the Dallas Winds, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and the Jordan Kahn Music Company. He has had the opportunity to perform at venues in Argentina, The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, New York, and many others.
As a music entrepreneur, he founded MK Music Designs in 2019 to kick off his music composing/arranging business. Since the company’s conception, MK Music Designs has worked with numerous high school marching bands across the state of Texas in creating custom arrangements that fit each program’s individual needs. The company believes in developing great relationships with each program to enhance their Fall marching band shows from a MUSIC and a DESIGN perspective. For more information about MK Music Designs and for a list of shows, please visit the MK Music Designs page.
Mr. Korson is also an active music arranger for small ensembles, wind bands, and choirs across the North Texas Region. Marching bands who have performed his arrangements have earned consistent superior ratings at UIL Region contests and have appeared in the finals of UIL Area competitions.
As a studio teacher, Mr. Korson maintains a heavy private teaching schedule across the North Texas region. Under his instruction, many of his students have earned placement in the Texas All-Region, All-Area and All-State bands. In 2015, he formed and conducted the inaugural McKinney Saxophone Choir.