Dr. Jess GerardiDr. Jess Gerardi’s impact on Colorado music education has been immense and not limited to classroom teaching. The inimitable Gerardi was a school music instructor for 27 years, but his impact on music education began in 1961.
For over six decades, Dr. Geradi has been a guiding light for music educators in our state with his work with the Colorado Music Educators Association and the Colorado Bandmasters Association.
The good doctor continues to serve the students of Colorado as a judge in CHSAA’s large group music festivals.
He began his teaching career in 1961 at Durango High School, before moving on to Flood Junior High in 1963. In 1967, he took over the Englewood High School program and remained there until his retirement in 1987.
His band was the first marching band from Colorado to earn a spot in the Rose Bowl Parade.
Dr. Gerardi has served as CMEA Instrumental Music Chair, CMEA Music Chairmen, National Band Association Board Member, CHSAA Music Adjudicator, Colorado Bandmasters Association clinician, and CHSAA workshop clinician.
He was Director of Entertainment for the Denver Broncos Football Club from 1967-1998. His band was staged in the southeast corner of Mile High Stadium and performed for every home game for 30 years,
His list of honors is lengthy and includes Colorado Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame, Director of the Year as designated by his honorary band fraternity – Phi Beta Mu – and his induction into the CMEA Hall of Fame.
He was named 1994 Citizen of the Year by the City of Englewood and Outstanding Music Educator by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
In 2003, Dr. Gerardi was named Alumnus of the Year by the University of Colorado-Boulder and in 2006, he was awarded the coveted “Citation of Excellence” by the National Band Association.
