CFHS Band
CONTACT
Gerald Ramsey has taught band in Iowa for 35 years. He is in his 29th year at Cedar Falls High School where he directs the Wind Symphony and the second jazz band, “Jazz, Too!”. He co-teaches AP Music Theory, co-directs the Tiger Marching Band, and serves as Music Department Chair. Under his direction, Cedar Falls bands have received consistent Division I ratings over the years at marching, jazz, and concert band festivals.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Graceland University in Lamoni, IA, and completed
graduate coursework at the University of Northern Iowa.
Gerald is a past president of the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA), and he has also served as Jazz Chair for NEIBA. He has received the
KWWL Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching, the Karl King Distinguished Service Award from NEIBA, and the NEIBA Phillip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award. As a performer, he enjoys playing trumpet and
bass in a variety of settings.
Gerald's wife, Vivian, is a teacher with the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Their eldest child, Theo, is a violinist based in Boston. Their son, Steve, sells menswear at Backroom Clothing and plays bass trombone in the Des Moines metro area.
Kyle Engelhardt is currently in his 23rd year of teaching instrumental music; he has been teaching at Cedar Falls High School since 2004, where he conducts Jazz One and the Symphonic Band, and co-directs the Tiger Marching Band and various other ensembles.
He currently serves as the president-elect of the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), and will serve as president in the year 2024-25. He is past president of the Jazz Educators of Iowa (JEI) and past president of the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA) District. Additionally, he has served as the state IBA Jazz Affairs Chair as well as NEIBA district jazz chair.
Under Kyle’s direction, Cedar Falls Jazz One has performed at The Midwest Clinic (2022), as well as at the Iowa Bandmasters Conference (2015, 2018, and 2021). Additionally, Jazz One has earned first place honors over the years at the University of Northern Iowa Tallcorn Jazz Festival, the NEIBA District Jazz Festival, and the Iowa Jazz Championships.
Engelhardt is the 2023 winner of the NEA Excellence in Education Award for Iowa. He was recognized as a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award in 2021. He has also been honored to be recognized as the Cedar Falls High School teacher representative for the Iowa Governor’s Scholar program, and has received the NEIBA Phillip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award.
He graduated with a BA in Music Education from Truman State University, in Kirksville, Missouri, and also completed a Master of Arts in Music Education from Truman State University. Previous teaching assignments include Centerville (IA) High School Band Director (3 years), and Willow Springs, Missouri, Grades 5-12 Band Director (2 years). Professional affiliations include JEI, IBA, NEIBA, Jazz Education Network (JEN), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Kyle’s wife, Laura, is the band director at Holmes Jr. High in Cedar Falls, and they have two children: Kristen and Alex.