Outstanding Young Music Educator helps students face challenges and grow as musicians
Posted on 02/05/2025
Chris Ramey, the Oakville Middle School band director, received the David B. Goodwin Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Missouri Music Educators Association. This award is given to one young music educator in the state each year who has shown extraordinary promise, diligence and success.
IMAGE: Ramey conducts band students at Oakville Middle School at an assembly.
“My favorite thing about being a band director is working with kids throughout the school,” said Ramey. “I love being a resource for students and a place where different students in our school can come together and make music.”
Ramey’s students appreciate his ability to help them grow as musicians.
“I think he is very open and understanding about not getting things right, and it’s easy to work with him and work around challenges,” said Eva, an OMS student.
Ramey accepted the position as the band director at OMS immediately after graduating from college. The program now boasts more than 120 students.
“Most of our sixth graders have never played an instrument, and it’s amazing the amount of progress they make by the time they leave eighth grade,” said Mike Salsman, Oakville Middle School principal. “He’s a great teammate and big help at OMS, always looking for how he can help all students, not just his band students.”
IMAGE: Ramey receives the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award at the MMEA conference.
Ramey was surprised with the news he would be receiving the award in front of his colleagues and students at an assembly in December. He officially accepted the award at the MMEA Conference at the end of January.
“It is surreal to receive this award because there are so many outstanding music educators who’ve received this award before,” said Ramey. “For colleagues and the MMEA board to think of me so highly is a huge award and very humbling.”