Andrew Campo, a band teacher and electives team leader at the Cortez Middle School, was nominated and selected to represent Colorado in the national School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s article about “50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference.”
One teacher from each state was selected for the article and were nominated by a fellow teacher, community member or student. Campo told The Journal that he doesn’t know who nominated him, but he was honored.
“This is a humbling honor for me, but also highlights the excellence of the middle school band program and the important place it holds in the hearts of our town,” Campo said.
Campo, a Hampden, Maine native, has been a teacher for 28 years now. He has been teaching in Cortez for the last 17 years.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Maine and a master’s degree from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He also earned his National Board Teaching Certification in 2006, something that less than 4% of teachers in the United States have achieved.
The desire to become a teacher, however, started when Campo quickly became a proficient trumpet player as a student.
“I had always been an introvert, so that helped me gain confidence, and I came out of my shell a little bit,” Campo said. “The better I got, the more I wanted to practice. When I was in high school, I did a couple of different honor bands, including all-state. When I saw the caliber of music being made there, I said, ‘I want to do something with this regarding my career.’”
The very thing that inspired Campo to become a teacher is also his favorite part about being a teacher.
“Seeing them come out of their shell, seeing them find confidence, seeing them find someplace they belong, some place they fit in,” Campo said. “This is the place where they feel like they can be themselves … That’s what I really enjoy, to see the kids grow, of course, in music, but also as a person.”
Some of Campo’s students have performed and worked with Grammy nominated and Grammy award-winning artists, played on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, played on national television and appeared in the movie “Drumline.” Some were also nominated for a Grammy and Latin Grammy award and signed with recording labels.
Under his direction, the CMS music program was recognized as a SupportMusic Merit Award Winner by the NAMM Foundation in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024. It was also honored as one of 100 schools chosen by the by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation’s Adopt A School Program.
He was also honored as CMS’s “Teacher of the Year” for 2023 and 2024.
When he first received the email about being featured, Campo initially didn’t believe it.
“I never in a million years thought I would get recognition like that. I’m not sure I deserve it,” Campo said. “I’m just trying to do my job, but to think that somebody thought highly enough to nominate me is pretty cool … I think it does reflect upon our program, not just me, but everything we’ve got going on here in Cortez.”
Campo also said he was “blessed” to have “amazing music teachers growing up” who inspired him and a “wonderfully supportive family” in his wife Kelly and children Travis and Grace. He is also grateful to have support from school officials and families.
“It’s not just me, it’s everybody working together toward a common goal that’s important. We’ve got a good thing going, and people are working hard to keep it going,” he said.
The magazine can be read online at sboplus.net.
