Biography
Fred Koch maintained a consistent path performing straightforward yet engaging folk tunes aimed at young listeners. Beyond that, he contributed to numerous children's projects across multiple roles, serving as composer, producer, performer, and educator. His plainspoken approach found steady favor with families and preschoolers throughout the Midwest.
Born in South Haven, Michigan, in 1951, Koch earned his degree from the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois, in 1975 and launched his classroom career as a music specialist for preschool through primary grades. Professional performances began two years afterward. In 1981 he founded Red Rover Records and issued This Little Cow, an album showcasing only his vocals and autoharp that earned strong approval from preschool educators. Two years later came Children's Record, a collection of traditional preschool folk material that included the songs "Tingalayo" and "Alouette."
Koch fulfilled a long-held ambition in 1989 by producing Did You Feed My Cow?, a tribute to the repertoire of Ella Jenkins that spotlighted several of her best-known pieces, among them the title track and "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song." The recording received two honors from the Parent's Choice Foundation.
Five years afterward he joined the Melody House label and turned his attention to Tis the Season, an album that moved away from his earlier autoharp-centered simplicity toward richly produced, stylistically diverse holiday material frequently performed by children. That project earned another Parent's Choice Award and established Koch as a producer and arranger in demand.
Born in South Haven, Michigan, in 1951, Koch earned his degree from the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois, in 1975 and launched his classroom career as a music specialist for preschool through primary grades. Professional performances began two years afterward. In 1981 he founded Red Rover Records and issued This Little Cow, an album showcasing only his vocals and autoharp that earned strong approval from preschool educators. Two years later came Children's Record, a collection of traditional preschool folk material that included the songs "Tingalayo" and "Alouette."
Koch fulfilled a long-held ambition in 1989 by producing Did You Feed My Cow?, a tribute to the repertoire of Ella Jenkins that spotlighted several of her best-known pieces, among them the title track and "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song." The recording received two honors from the Parent's Choice Foundation.
Five years afterward he joined the Melody House label and turned his attention to Tis the Season, an album that moved away from his earlier autoharp-centered simplicity toward richly produced, stylistically diverse holiday material frequently performed by children. That project earned another Parent's Choice Award and established Koch as a producer and arranger in demand.
Albums
