AuneKen1Bismarck (CSi) Jamestown High School music teacher, Ken Aune, has won the Favorite Music Educator category at the  presented Saturday in Bismarck.

Aune has taught music and band at Jamestown Middle School since 1999.

Joe Schmidt of Medina was nominated in three categories and won for Favorite Christian Band/Group.

A Medina farmer, and musician Joe Schmidt has dedicated all proceeds from his song “My Field of Dreams” to the Farm Rescue organization.

Farm Rescue says Schmidt was inspired by the widespread positive impact it has, and this is his way of helping farm and ranch families experiencing unexpected crises.  Watch the video

More than 11,000 nominations were submitted in the event’s second year, and there were 9,000 votes for the finalists in each of the 25 categories for the online competition.

The purpose for the awards is to celebrate the diversity of musical talent in North Dakota, Sturm said. It has helped showcase the popular bands of the larger cities, the lesser-known performers in the smaller towns and the emerging talent that is just getting noticed.

To find out more about the ceremony and see the full results of the North Dakota Music Awards, visit www.ndmusicawards.com.