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Band Programs a Big Part
Of the Student Experience

Whether they’re simply learning new skills and developing socially, or actually developing into life-long participants and lovers of music, 92129’s young band students at Mt. Carmel High School and Westview High School are both enthusiastic and optimistic about their programs and their experiences.

The two schools’ band directors – experienced and award-winning – spent time to answer questions from 92127 Magazine designed to provide readers with some insights into value of music for young people, the challenges they face in funding their programs, and their philosophy in sharing their love of music to students.

Q&A with Mt. Carmel High School Band Director Garry McPherson

 

• What was your inspiration to become a band director?

 

I loved band in school and was inspired to someday help students experience and love music the way I did in school.

 

• What is your general philosophy on teaching music to high school students?

 

I tell my students that you get out of music what you put into music.  If you practice hard, listen to our professional staff and put in the time to improve, you can play as well as you desire.

 

• Who most inspired you to pursue music as a career?

 

[pullquote_right]

‘I tell my students that you get out of music what you put into music.  If you practice hard, listen to our professional staff and put in the time to improve, you can play as well as you desire.’

-GARRY McPHERSON, MCHS Band Director

[/pullquote_right]My wife, Amy, and my former high school band director and late colleague, Warren Torns.

 

• What do you find most rewarding about being a high school band director/teacher?

 

The satisfaction of knowing I taught my students great life skills and playing top quality music.

 

• What is most challenging about being a high school band director/teacher?

 

There are very long hours and preparation goes year around. I am usually always planning and working six months ahead.

 

• Why is music education in public schools important?

 

Music education brings together so many high brain functioning skills.  Music promotes critical thinking, math, foreign language and personal discipline.  Music students are usually the high-level students at a school and on average have the higher GPAs as well. Students who continue in music and finish all four high school years in a music program usually always are accepted to multiple colleges and have many choices for their continued education.

 

• What additional support would most help your music program?

 

Our program is almost completely funded by parent donations and we would love any community support possible so we could purchase music, instruments and bring in profession musicians to work with our students.

 

• What are your priorities and aspirations for your music program in the next year?

 

Mt. Carmel is in need of new marching band uniforms.  Many of our current uniforms are tearing apart at the seams and have faded material with stains.  Our uniforms are over nine years old and won’t last much longer.

 

• If you could be granted one wish for your music program this year, what would you wish?

 

That our students have a musically satisfying year and learn to love music as I do.

 

 

Q&A with Westview High School Band Director Jeri Webb

• What was your inspiration to become a band director?

I always wanted to be a teacher.  I chose music as my profession.  Making music, developing leadership and teamwork is delightful and essential in teaching music.

• What is your general philosophy on teach music to high school students?

I believe that all students have abilities in music.  I believe that all students should have access to music (we include students at all levels and abilities).  I believe that our main goal should be helping students to love making music and to become lifelong participants in music.

• Who most inspired you to pursue music as a career?

Don Marshall, my junior high school band director.

• What do you find most rewarding about being a high school band director/teacher?

Relationships mostly, followed with being able to work on challenging, quality literature.

• What is most challenging about being a high school band director/teacher?

[pullquote_right]

‘I believe that all students should have access to music.  I believe that our main goal should be helping students to love making music and to become lifelong participants in music. ’

-JERI WEBB, WHS Band Director

[/pullquote_right]Trying to lead a healthy, balanced life.  Finding time and energy to be active, shop for quality foods, cook, and read.

• What is your personal music background?

I played flute throughout high school and college.  I was fortunate to be able to perform with the San Diego Symphony when Aaron Copland conducted.  I also had a group that performed at the Hotel Intercontinental six nights a week for six months.

• Why is music education in public schools important?

Music in schools is essential.  There are many countries where music is not in schools and therefore access to music education is only available to the wealthy.  I have seen many, many students who struggle academically and socially who become tremendous students and leaders as well as quality musicians because of their access to public school music.  The power of music is impressive.  In order to make music, people must use multiple intelligences to decode the music, diagnose quality of tone and pitch, analyze rhythmic precision, listen to others and react with empathy and sympathy, communicate through their music passion, sorrow, etc.  I tend to be optimistic about the future of music education.  Despite all of the cuts that have been occurring and despite the economy, we still have many families including music education in their budget.

• What additional support would most help your music program?

One of the components to addressing our philosophy is exposing students to a variety of quality music performances by professionals.  We have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to perform with such artists as Gary Foster, Dallas Brass and Three Leg Torso.  There are many other performers we would like to bring in, but this part of our budget is the first to go.  We are in need of technology for our practice rooms as well.

• What are your priorities and aspirations for your music program in the next year?

For our Wind Ensemble and Orchestra we will be taking a trip to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and attending clinics and performing a joint concert.  In the near future I want to take our Marching Band to perform in Hawaii as well as take our Wind Ensemble and Orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall once again.

• If you could be granted one wish for your music program this year, what would you wish?

To have more students on campus say, “Can I join Westview Gold?”  Our answer is, yes!   I want to see the visibility of our group increase.

 

 

 

 

 

Student Leaders Optimistic About Year In Music, Support Continued Funding

 

Student leaders in the music programs at Westview High School and Mt. Carmel High School not only are excited about this school year, but also hopeful and optimistic about the future of music education in 92129.

“It is amazing to see the band at the end of the year as we are all playing and performing at our peak and she how much we have improved,” said Westview Drum Major Kevin Liu, a senior who plays five instruments.  “It’s exciting to see how much better we have gotten and that all of our members are so dedicated and enthusiastic.”

Westview Band President Alyson Heaney agreed with Liu.  “There is such a positive vibe felt amongst the band and it’s really rewarding to see everyone come together,” said Heaney, a senior who competes on the WHS swim team and hopes to obtain a nursing degree.

As for the continuation of music education, Mt. Carmel Drum Major (Parade) Philip Cowart is confident.  “Music education in public school – whether it is vocal or instrumental – allows us to use the other half of our brains and engage in a different kind of learning,” said Cowart, a senior who plans to study aerospace engineering and music in college.  “Music is an art that has been with humans since the beginning, and will always be there.”

Westview Band Vice President Elizabeth Qi stressed the importance of music in schools.  “Music education is so incredibly important in public schools,” said Qi, a senior who plays bassoon, marimba, flute, trombone and piano.  “Music itself is just so beautiful and such a positive outlet for energy, that I honestly believe the world would be a better place if everyone were given the opportunity to be involved in music.”

Qi said she does have some concerns, though.  “I do worry about the future of music education, as I have seen the effects of budget cuts,” she said.  “As funds are cut, it becomes more difficult to get even the bare minimum to run a solid program.  And requested participant donations rise, making it more difficult in some circumstances for students to afford being in the music programs at their schools.”

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