Raymond Bell (2021-Present)
Raymond Bell was born in Dumaguete City, Philippines, in the midst of a typhoon. His parents were both missionaries at Silliman University in Dumaguete, and they lived there until he was 10. In 5th grade, he returned to the US to Parker, Arizona, and started playing the trumpet. His paramount music teachers at that time were Ralston Pitts, James Humbert, and Paul Walker. They instilled in him his early interests in music and playing the trumpet.
After his freshman year at Parker High School, his family moved to Blairsville, Pennsylvania, so his father could attend Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. While there, he attended high school at Blairsville Senior High where he graduated in 1968.
College years were spent first at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where he expanded his learning of the trumpet. He had an outstanding trumpet teacher, Jack McKie of the Pittsburgh Symphony. After a year at Duquesne, he transferred to Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona. This is where he met his wife Kathy in the Sun Devil Marching Band. She played piccolo and they were married in 1972 after he graduated from ASU. Kathy and Ray started their family a few years later, in Albuquerque. Erin, their oldest daughter, was born on the night of an October football game. Ryan was born in November, and their youngest, Colleen, was born the day he was judging at a solo and ensemble contest in March. They have all turned into wonderful adults. They are fortunate enough to have all their kids living in the same state of Colorado.
In 1972 Ray began his teaching career at the Albuquerque Public Schools; teaching at Roosevelt Junior High and the three feeder elementary schools. In 1974 he began his high school teaching career at West Mesa High School where he taught for 7 years. In 1981, he transferred to Del Norte High School and taught there for four years. His time in Albuquerque was wonderful. He had the opportunity to teach with several mentors and colleagues, and of course, taught many incredible students. Interactions with the music faculty at the University of New Mexico (UNM) were very special, and he completed his Master of Music degree at UNM during this time as well.
1985 brought a career change and move to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ray began his business career in the fund raising industry, which he pursued for 18 years. He was able to help many schools, groups, and youth sports organizations raise necessary funds for helping their students, families and participants. In 1991 and 1992 he served as the part time assistant band director at Coronado High School with his good friend Richard Kusk.
As the saying goes, “Once a teacher, always a teacher”, and in 2003, Ray returned to teaching as the band director at Harrison High School. He stayed for 3 years until he became the band director at Sand Creek High School. At Sand Creek, he started the first-ever marching band, orchestra, color guard, and winter percussion programs. He continued to develop the concert and jazz band programs, and additionally started a popular guitar class for students who were not typically involved in instrumental music or vocal music programs.
After teaching a total of 27 years, Ray retired at the end of the 2017 school year from Sand Creek High School. “The best part of what I did all those years, was having the opportunity to teach such wonderful students.” Everywhere he taught, Roosevelt JH, West Mesa High School, Del Norte High School, Coronado High School, Harrison High School and Sand Creek High School, it was the “kids” that made it special. They are what made it an exceptional time in his life. His teaching career was filled with exceptional students and parents, many of whom he continues to keep in contact with. Most importantly, were the relationships he developed with his students as he guided them into adulthood through music.
In October of 2019, Ray began teaching half time for School District 11, teaching beginning strings at two elementary schools. What a challenge it was with distance learning for the final three months of school! Both were low income Title 1 schools, so dealing with inadequate technology was problematic for the students, families, and facility. He does plan to continue teaching at these two schools for upcoming school years.
Ray feels great gratitude for having had some significant experiences as a professional trumpet player. In college he played weekends with a Mexican Salsa band, “Pete Bugarien y Los Compas” as well as a rock band. When they moved to Albuquerque, he was one of the first call trumpet players for groups, shows, and entertainers, travelling through and performing in Albuquerque. He performed with Bob Hope, The Temptations, Four Tops, O Jays, Ice Capades/Ice Follies, Peggy Lee, Buddy Greco, Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Rogers, Marilyn May, Bobby Rydell and others. It was challenging but fun and also some great musical opportunities.
The PPIOM band members are so grateful to have had Ray take over the bands in 2021. He carries on the love and passion for music and people that it’s founder, Bill Callen, valued so much.
Previous Director and PPIOM co-Founder Bill Callen (2002-2020)
On November 1, 2021 Bill Callen was Posthumously Awarded the Roy Ernst Award for showing perseverance, passion and commitment to outstanding musical achievement in the spirit of the New Horizons International Music Association philosophy of lifelong musical learning.
A native of Clinton, Missouri, William (Bill) Callen attended Central Missouri University, and received both a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Arts degree. While at the university, he studied Saxophone performance under Dr. Eugene Rousseau, a well known classical Saxophonist.
After serving three years in the Fifth Division Army Band at Fort Carson, Colorado, Bill began a thirty-year teaching career. He spent five years in Aurora, Colorado and then moved to Colorado Springs in 1975. He taught at Holmes Junior High/Middle School for the next twenty-five years, retiring in 2000. Bill was married to Carolyn and they had twin daughters; Karen, who resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Kendra, who lives in Falcon, Colorado with her husband Jon. Bill and Carolyn enjoyed traveling over the years. They have been to all 50 states, all the Southern Canadian Provinces, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. A personal lifetime achievement for Bill was being runner-up for the Crystal Apple Award, given to the outstanding educator in Colorado Springs School District 11.
In 2001 he founded the Pikes Peak Home School Band, giving home school students the opportunity to play in a band of their peers. In 2002 he co-founded the Pikes Peak New Horizons Band, which reached out to the adults in the community. Previously the age requirement of the bands was 40+, but in 2021 the bands opened up to anyone of any age who would like to play their instrument in a community band, truly embodying Bill’s vision of creating multi-generational bands.
Bill fostered this band community often stating that everyone is welcome and he worked to create a friendly and welcoming place, no matter anyone’s playing abilities. He often provided scholarships for individuals who were struggling financially but still wanted to be a part of the bands. Although learning to play together as a band was important, socializing was also a very integral part of each rehearsal time, creating strong bonds among the members. Through the years many close friendships developed because of people coming together to play a band instrument.
After the unexpected passing of Bill Callen in April 2020, there was a question if the bands would continue and after much work from the new director and the Pikes Peak Institute of Music (PPIOM) Board Members, the bands are continuing and going strong. It gives the Callen family great joy to see Bill’s legacy continuing on through the bands that he started more than 20 years ago.
Click to Enlarge
