Andy Empey is Co-Director of Bands of Morton CUSD 709, serving in his role since 2024. Mr. Empey joins Morton from his most recent position as Director of Bands at Galesburg Junior Senior High School (2018-2024). Under Empey, the Galesburg Marching Streaks were a finalist in the Illinois State Marching Band Championships in 2019 and again in 2023. Additionally, the band attended the Bands of America Super Regional in Indianapolis for the first time in 2022 and attended BOA St. Louis in 2023 where they received a Division One rating. The Galesburg H.S. Wind Symphony performed in 2022 as one of three honor bands at the Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands and has performed with the Western Illinois University Wind Ensemble and the Augustana College Symphonic Band. Prior to joining the music staff in Galesburg, Mr. Empey was the Director of Bands at Limestone Community High School (2006-2018).

Mr. Empey received a B.A. in Music Education from Western Illinois University in 2004 and a M.A. in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University in 2018. He has been active in the marching music activity as a trumpet player, as a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1996, 1998, and the 2008 Cavalier Alumni Corps. He was a member of the Star United Mini Drum and Bugle Corps of Indianapolis from 2013-2017. Additional performing groups include the Prairie Wind Ensemble, Fanfare Brass Quintet, and the Knox Brass Ensemble.

He is married to his wife of over twenty years, Danielle, a school librarian. Mr. Empey has three children: Keaton, attending college as a Music Education major, Bryant, a high school percussionist, and Abbie, a junior high trumpet player.