About Us

Virginia Franklin Campbell
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music

Virginia Franklin Campbell established music studios in 12 locations in eight states during a 42 year teaching career. She studied with such notable teachers and pedagogues as Frances Clark and Louise Goss at The New School for Music Study in Princeton, New Jersey, as well as Marvin Blickenstaff, Jon Spong, and Lynn Freeman Olson.

Virginia was National Chair of the Independent Music Teachers Forum (IMTF), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), a position she held from 1991 to 1995. In this capacity she also held a seat in the House of Delegates, the governing body of MTNA. Prior to this appointment, she had been Group Piano Chair for the Eastern Division, MTNA, and Independent Music Teachers Forum Chair for the Southern Division, MTNA. She also served as a member of the MTNA Foundation’s Teacher Enrichment Grant Committee, and as a member of the MTNA Ad Hoc Committee on Studio Placement. In addition, she served as one of the three national judges for the D.H. Baldwin Fellowship Program for university pedagogy graduates and professional teachers, sponsored by the Baldwin Piano and Organ Company.

A frequent contributor to professional journals, including Keyboard Companion, American Music Teacher, and Clavier, Virginia also authored three publications addressing recital planning, developing effective practicing techniques, and improving rhythmic understanding (Alfred Publishing), and selections for multi-keyboard and piano ensembles, including "Zum Gali Gali" (Warner Bros. Publications). In 2002 Virginia established Campbell Music Press which publishes and maintains a catalog of keyboard ensemble orchestrations and arrangements.

In 1984 she founded and directed an annual three-day Pedagogy in the Arts Seminar for Music Teachers, which focused on techniques and approaches for enhancing the teaching and learning environment in the contemporary music studio. This endeavor continued for the following 14 years.

Virginia is among those independent music teachers who have pioneered the use of high technology, including computers, sequencers, digital pianos, electronic keyboards and video cameras to complement music learning. She also instructed public school elementary music classes using the Yamaha "Music in Education" multi-keyboard laboratory and curriculum.

Virginia, as a lecturer and clinician, has presented programs throughout the United States and in Germany. The Kawai America Corporation has utilized her services as a clinician and workshop director in the use of digital pianos in independent music studios. In the latter capacity, Virginia adapted a major piano teaching method for Kawai to use in instructing teachers in the use of digital pianos.

She has served as a presenter and panelist for several national conventions of the Music Teachers National Association, as well as the biennial National Piano Pedagogy Conference (NPPC). She presented an interactive session on sequencing at the 1996 NPPC in Chicago. Her latest endeavors have included weekly interactive teaching via the Internet, with students in other states and Asia. Virginia is an active member of the National League of American Pen Women (awarded membership in both Music and Letters), and has served as the President of the Pikes Peak Branch of NLAPW in Colorado. She presently serves as the 4th National Vice President of NLAPW, and holds a seat on the Executive Board.

Virginia was included in Outstanding Young Women of America, and was among the first 25 women to receive the Alumni Achievement Award from her alma mater, Washington State University, for distinguished accomplishments in her career field.

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Verne D. Campbell

Verne D. Campbell served as an officer in the United States Army for more than 25 years and retired as a Colonel. His varied experience in the 1960s and 70s included initial assignments as an Armor officer, and later as an Adjutant General’s Corps officer. In the mid-60s, he was appointed Staff Band Officer for First United States Army with management responsibility for all Army bands in the northeastern United States. This was followed by three years service as Staff Band Officer for U.S. Continental Army Command with administrative, logistical, training, and policy development and implementation responsibilities for all Army musical organizations of all components in the continental United States.

Following a 1971-72 tour of duty in Vietnam as the principal personnel officer for the largest Army logistical command in Southeast Asia, he was appointed Commander and Conductor of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, New York. For three years he directed the Army's oldest continuously operating band in America, and one of the three premier bands of the United States Army. Comprised of 100 career professional enlisted musicians, the USMA Band is responsible for more than 1,500 performances annually.

After his graduation from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Verne was assigned for four years as the Chief of Bands for the United States Army in Washington, DC. He held management responsibilities for 125 Active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve musical organizations involving 5,000 musicians on three continents, the largest performing arts activity in the free world. He was subsequently selected in 1980 to become the Associate Bandmaster and Executive Officer of The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own), in Washington, DC. Among his duties in this capacity was the leadership of the world-renowned The United States Army Herald Trumpets, which provide musical support for the White House, foreign Head of State arrival ceremonies, and other ceremonial functions throughout the nation.

Upon his promotion to Colonel, Verne's administrative and management experience included a three year assignment as the Command Adjutant General (Director of Administrative and Personnel Support Services) for U.S. Army Material Command, the logistical arm of the United States Army; equivalent in scope to being the director of administration for the ninth largest corporate entity in America. In addition to several United States military awards, he was also decorated by the government of the Republic of Vietnam for his successful accomplishment of extensive civil affairs projects to improve local living and economic conditions during the conflict in that country.

In the years since his military service, Verne co-directed the Campbell Music Studio with his wife, Virginia, in the states of Virginia, Florida and Colorado. In addition he served for six years as an assistant high school band director for the award winning Rampart High School Band in Colorado Springs. Upon his retirement from the school district, the Rampart music students recognized his contributions with an Honorary Lifetime Band Membership. In 2002 Verne was also selected for inclusion in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers".

In the field of music he has lectured frequently on careers in music, music studio management topics, and the use of technology to enhance teaching and studio operations. He has also authored numerous articles related to music in several professional journals. Verne served as the first National Chair for Community Outreach and Education (Arts Advocacy) for the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). For several years he has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association.

Verne was granted a masters degree from Long Island University, and received the Alumni Achievement Award for distinguished accomplishments in his career field from his undergraduate alma mater, Washington State University.

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