More instruments would be music to the ears of many Aromas and
San Juan School students, many of whom are unable to play in the
school’s band because of instrument shortages.
San Juan Bautista – More instruments would be music to the ears of many Aromas and San Juan School students, many of whom are unable to play in the school’s band because of instrument shortages.
But a lack of funds has the district’s band director looking to the community to drum up more dollars for instruments.
One of the hardest parts of Aromas and San Juan Band Director John Orzel’s job is telling students that if they cannot find their own instruments they can’t be in the school’s band.
“We’re grateful to have the (music) program,” he said. “But the district doesn’t have as many instruments as there are students who are interested in the program.”
The district has about 70 instruments for the 130 students in the music program and many more students are unable to participate each year because they cannot afford to purchase instruments, Orzel said.
“Every instrument is in short supply,” he said. “We have many budgetary concerns because of statewide funding problems. And because their parents can’t afford the instruments or are leery of making the investment, many are turned away.”
The veteran teacher and composer, who has been heading the Aromas/San Juan music program for the last decade, stretched the district’s funds as far as possible and will now be looking into holding fundraisers for the program.
The program’s funding has remained flat for the last few years and donations have helped boost the district’s supplies, but after seeing the fundraising success of other band directors, Orzel decided it was time to do some outside fundraising of his own.
He hopes to have his plans in place in the next few months, but in the meantime he is hoping community members donate used instrument, regardless of condition, to help students at both schools.
“Instruments can often be repaired or used for parts,” he said. “We’ve Frankensteined a few instruments around here before.”
Orzel is encouraging those interested in donating instruments to contact school officials at both San Juan and Aromas.
In the meantime, parents who cannot afford to purchase an instruments can also look into renting, Orzel said.
“Some parents are afraid that their child’s interest in music will only be passing,” he said. “But most students who play a musical instrument stick with it.”
For many students, like Josiah Garza, a seventh grade trumpeter in San Juan’s advanced band class, the school day hits a high note when the band plays during music class.
“It’s the way it sounds,” he said. “It’s just fun to come here and play.”
Music is a vital academic exercise for many students and has been shown to raise scholastic aptitude, Orzel said.
“For many children their music class is the high point of their day,” Orzel said. “And many students who become interested in music also become more interested in the rest of their schooling.”
The notion that studying or making music can improve intellect has been well-documented. The results of a study conducted by the American Psychological Society last year showed that students who studied music posted larger IQ test score gains over pre-study scores compared to students who did not study music.
While playing music may increase their mental acuity, Matthew Espinoza, a saxophonist at San Juan, sums up the reasons many students get involved in the music program.
“It’s fun,” he said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected]
