He's Movin' Us
By Jonna Fernandez, Manager of Public Information and Technical Communication

Sit down for a conversation with Caleb McCampbell and you'll be moved by the gratitude he shows for the family who inspired him to make music a part of his life. The son of a key member of the 1990's R&B Top 40's group, the M.A.C. Band, McCampbell can't imagine his life without music.

"I can't express with words my passion and devotion for music," says the 2007 Cedar Valley College Music Performance graduate. "If music wasn't a part of my life, there's no way that I could be here on this earth."

In addition to his father, McCampbell holds high esteem for his uncle, Joseph Joubert, a famous pianist, and his older brother, Charles, who constantly encourages him to strive to be the absolute best and never settle for mediocrity. It was for this reason that McCampbell came to CVC.

"I heard about Cedar Valley from my siblings because they attended here and learned a lot. Also, one of my instructors at Booker T. Washington Arts Magnet told me that CVC had a good music program," acknowledges McCampbell.

As soon as he set foot on CVC's campus, the multi-talented musician knew that he was in the right spot.

"I don't regret at all not going to a university because I personally feel that my experience at CVC the three years that I was there is better than what a university could offer. In fact, in all departments of the college, even the ones I didn't major in, the teachers cared and were concerned about my education and they weren't just there for the paycheck. After my first semester there, I knew I was where I was supposed to be."

And it was where he was supposed to be. During his time at CVC, McCampbell won the Collins-Binkley Award all three years that he was enrolled. The award is given to students who have demonstrated outstanding performance in music recitals at CVC. Most notably however, is the fact that McCampbell is the only student in CVC history to have also won both the Outstanding Commercial Instrumental Performer Award and the Outstanding Vocal Performer award.

When McCampbell wasn't studying music at CVC, he was performing with his four other siblings as part of The McCampbells. A Christian gospel band, The McCampbells use their musical training to combine jazz, hip-hop, rap, R&B, contemporary rock and classical music to create musical masterpieces.

"There is not a style of music that we don't tap into; in fact, a large portion of our pieces are a cappella. In addition, most of us play instruments. I sing, play piano and drums and I'm learning guitar and bass guitar," notes McCampbell.

When asked about his plans after CVC, McCampbell is solid about one thing, "Any type of activity I participate in after graduation has to be somehow connected to my musical gifts. I want my work to be heard, and for people to be blessed by it and be inspired to go do the same thing."

Well one thing is for sure: Whatever McCampbell decides to do, it is certain that he'll be movin' the world with his soulful sound and passion for the music of life.