Without enough instruments to go around, Susan Chizek is
scrambling to bring music to the masses.
Chizek, who teaches elementary school music classes at six
schools in the Hollister School District, said about 100 Fourth and
Fifth graders request school instruments each year, but only about
20 actually get them.
Hollister – Without enough instruments to go around, Susan Chizek is scrambling to bring music to the masses.
Chizek, who teaches elementary school music classes at six schools in the Hollister School District, said about 100 Fourth and Fifth graders request school instruments each year, but only about 20 actually get them.
“It’s really hard to decide who to give instruments to because there are so few instruments to begin with,” she said.
Chizek has even had to developed some creative alternatives for future flutists and clarinetist.
“They usually learn all the notes and positions on pencils,” Chizek said.
Former Calaveras fifth-grader Edgar Ceja learned to play on a pencil and Chizek said he is “now one of the best” young flutists in the district. Chizek even brought Ceja to play at a recent meeting with local merchants to spread awareness of the county’s art programs. Instruments are expensive, especially the bigger ones such as baritones and tenor saxophones. A decent beginner flute will cost about $400 Chizek said.
“The program ends up on the chopping block a lot,” Chizek said. “When I came here there were only four or five instruments to hand out.”
Chizek, who has been teaching in the district for four years, knows there’s no cash for instruments, so she has turned to outside sources for money and donated instruments.
She’s been busy applying for grants, talking to community members and rummaging on eBay for deals on flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones and baritones.
“We have a little of everything, but not enough of anything,” Chizek said.
Chizek said music is beneficial and gives many students, especially those who may not excel in other academic areas, a real reason to want to come to school.
“Music opens up a whole other area of the mind that you don’t get from reading, writing and arithmetic,” Chizek said.
If not for musical instruction in local public schools there would be far fewer musicians in San Benito County, she said.
“The biggest thing is for kids to get started,” Chizek said. “Once they get going it’s much easier to get instruments.”
However, with too few instruments to get started on, it’s hard to get many students playing music, Chizek said.
Despite instrument shortages, students will put on a Christmas concert and a spring concert and will perform at the annual San Benito County Music Festival in April, put on by more than 350 music students in the county’s elementary, middle and high schools.
Many students will also participate in a traveling band that performs at local elementary schools.
In addition, students will have the opportunity, for the first time, to perform at the State Music Educators Association, an annual meeting of music teachers that will be held in Sacramento this March.
Hollister School District Board of Trustees member Dee Brown says music is just as important as other parts of the district’s curriculum.
“I think it’s a critically important program,” Brown said. “And I would like to see the program expanded.”
Brown, who has taken piano, voice and folk guitar lessons, said the program provides many students with experiences that they might not get elsewhere.
Brown said music also benefits students with reading and writing.
“Music and literacy go hand in hand,” Brown said.
Board President Margie Barrios agreed.
She said funding for the program has not been discussed at recent board meetings, but said she would like to see the program continue.
Community members interested in donating musical instruments can contact Susan Chizek at 831-637-3255.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
