If Robert Bailey doesn’t scream music education’s biggest advocate (other than us of course), we don’t know what does. Over his remarkable 40+ year teaching career, he has made huge strides in spreading awareness about the importance of music education in Canada in various ways. On top of that, he puts his all trust and passion into his students and those who he instructs, no matter what abilities, disabilities, or exceptionalities they may have. Robert values each and every relationship he has made, and it becomes evident by the numerous awards and recognitions he has collected over time.

Robert is a man who wears many hats: music teacher, music education enthusiast, publicist, agent, band leader, manager… he’s got it all! His curricular and extra-curricular bands have amassed countless trophies, including the esteemed Best Performance of the Camrose & District Music Festival. He even does private lessons, leads in summer camps, and acts like his students’ agent, always encouraging and booking them in festivals and gigs.

He has several Band, Art, Teaching, and School Ensemble honours under his belt, including the David Peterkin Memorial Award recipient in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Band and Band Music.

Outside of the classroom, he takes part in committees and industry governing bodies like being the Vice President of the Alberta Band Association, and President & Executive roles for the Camrose & District Community Band.

Amazingly, Robert spends the remainder of his “free time” being an ambassador of music education — he regularly invites school administration to drop by during lessons, prepares press releases to promote events, gives interviews, and even founded a Music Parent Association to support funding for the music program.

For Robert, music is personal. After the sudden and devastating loss of his 19-year-old son, PJ Bailey, who was a promising trumpeter Robert and his spouse founded a memorial fund to encourage others to play just like PJ did.

He is a very busy and dedicated man! Robert believes one of the biggest challenges in music education is the need to constantly prove music’s value to the school curriculum. His motto “music is for life and that music is for everyone” is an inspirational call to action, and his hard work is paying off. Robert has touched the hearts of not only the people in his school but beyond the classroom to the people of Camrose, Alberta. His nomination for MusiCounts Teacher of the Year is his moment to reach the hearts of people who love music all across the country.

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Robert Bailey of École Charlie Killam School in Camrose, Alberta is one of five inspirational educators nominated for the 2024 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Anthem Entertainment. The award recognizes an exceptional music teacher with a $10,000 cash prize, a generous donation to their school through the MusiCounts Band Aid Program, 2-3 MusiCounts Legacy Grants made in their name, and a JUNO statuette.

The MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award was established in 2005 to recognize and honour an exceptional Canadian music teacher each year. This award is generously presented by Anthem Entertainment. To date, this award has celebrated the accomplishments of 18 music educators across Canada who strive to preserve the livelihood of music education in their school and community.