Every Friday afternoon after the last school bell rings, some of Hollister’s youth make their way to Mr. O’s Academy of the Arts on Sixth Street, just across the way from Grace Bible Church.
This dedicated group of 10- and 11-year-olds gives up an afternoon of watching TV or playing video games in order to progress in their musical education – one that was cut short due to lack of funds to continue the program at the elementary schools. The class is comprised of fifth-grade students, those who took band in the fourth grade last year.
The idea to bridge the gap between fourth- and fifth-grade band came from Joe Ostenson, owner of the academy and former Hollister music school teacher. Instead of letting the music instruction from last year fall behind, the boys and girls are able to keep playing and performing locally. Ostenson taught music education at R.O. Hardin, Rancho San Justo Middle School, and Margaret Maze Middle School for more than 40 years.
The students attend different schools – Cerra Vista, Ladd Lane, and the Hollister Dual Language Academy – with one who is home-schooled. The fourteen musicians include those on trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, flute and drums.
Band class meets once a week from 4:15 p.m. until 5 p.m., and the cost is $5 per session. Students are learning a variety of songs that run the gamut from “When the Saints Go Marching In” to the 70’s classic by The Captain & Tenille, “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
Ostenson is working toward readying the band to play in the spring for the County Music Festival. Ostenson extends an open invitation to students who were in band classes in fourth grade last year, hoping to increase the number of performers.
For more information about Mr. O’s Academy of the Arts and music lessons available there, call (831) 636-3813 or log onto their web site at mrosmusicacademy.com. The academy is located at 360 Sixth Street.
