Dear families, friends, and students,
Next MHUSD school board meeting: June 24:
http://www.mhu.k12.ca.us/documents/Board_Agendas/080624%20Agenda.pdf
It doesn't appear that there's anything
pertaining to our music program on tomorrow evening's agenda. If you wish to
address the board, submit a "Speaker's Request" card to the Superintendent's
Secretary prior to the meeting being called to order. The Board of Education
reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per
individual.
There was some interesting reading in last
Tuesday's MH Times as quoted from Dr. Alan Nishino in proclaiming MHUSD's
accomplishments for 2007-2008. Here's a snippet regarding the music program:
"Celebrating our school district's accomplishments"; Jun 16, 2008, By Alan
Nishino: A total of 2,100 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students at nine
school sites continued to be exposed to music, choice of vocal or
instrumental, through direct music instruction once a week throughout the
year.
Based on this statement as it is, the average
Morgan Hill resident would likely assume that our elementary music program
is thriving. I wonder what the same resident would think if they knew that
out of the approximately 700 incoming 7th grade students attending the two
middle schools in 2008-2009, only 38 (5%) have requested music as their
first elective choice? Due to these declining enrollment numbers, both
middle school principals have been "forced" to cut back their respective
music programs from two sections at each school to only one.
Questions: Is our board of education aware of these declining enrollment
numbers? Have they asked why the numbers have fallen so much over the past
few years?
As most of us know, combining two different
middle school sections (Cadet Band and Advanced Band) into a single section
is akin to placing Pre-Algebra-level students with Algebra II students in
the same class with the same curricula. Of course, this doesn't matter to an
administrator as the district is in dire financial need -- once again -- and
is trying to deal with over 3 million dollars in funding cuts for the next
academic year. History tells us that the arts programs are consistently the
most expendable.
More on cuts: On the same day that Dr.
Nishino's editorial was printed in the MH Times, the district pulled an
advertisement for one of our two elementary positions from Edjoin (Edjoin is
California's online job search site for teachers). Note: The district
actually employed three elementary teachers last year. One resigned and
another dismissed, leaving two openings for elementary music positions. Only
one of those was posted due to a cutback in the program. Questions:
Has the district decided not to fill this opening? Is the district planning
on filling this opening by re-assigning either the Live Oak/Britton band
teacher or Sobrato/Murphy band teacher...or, both?
Here it is, almost July, and I do not know
what the Live Oak/Britton teaching assignment is for next year. All I can
confirm at this point is that I'm expected to teach one section at Britton
and one section at Live Oak. These two sections, along with a travel period,
amounts to a total of only three sections. A teacher needs five sections to
be considered "full-time."
On May 27, my principal, Nick Boden,
explained to me that he feels confident that the other two sections will be
funded very soon and that he will let me know just as soon as he confirms
that the district has funded them. Mr. Boden has not spoken to me since. In
a previous conversation Mr. Boden offered to contact Pat Blanar (she is in
charge of the elementary music program) and ask her to expedite discussion
regarding completing my assignment (inferring that Pat Blanar would be
responsible for ensuring that I had a full-time teaching position). I have
not heard another word about this "expedited" issue from either Nick Boden
or Pat Blanar.
As I hope you see from the above description,
the status of the music sections in the secondary schools are completely
dependent upon the "numbers" coming from the elementary music program. Until
there's accountability with the elementary program, the secondary programs
will be in great peril. As such, I feel that even if I stayed at Live Oak
for one more year and made the best of it, the music enrollment numbers
would continue to decline as the district has not yet admitted that there's
anything amiss with our elementary music program. Also, given that I have an
opportunity to go to a new job at a school district that supports music, and
that I should not expect an opportunity like this to be available to me next
year, the choice for me, as painful as it may be, is becoming clear.
Due to the consistent reduction of music
sections both at Live Oak and Britton over the past 5 years, I've had the
pleasure of teaching the Britton Cadet Band in 2006-2007 and both the Cadet
and Advanced Bands in 2007-2008. The opportunity to see the musical growth
of many of these students as they enter Live Oak and Sobrato next year was
very fulfilling. I hadn't taught at the middle school level for several
years but this experience reminded me how much more pliable the younger
students can be and at times, and to see and hear the improvement over the
period of a school year was exhilarating. I'm especially thankful for the
Britton parents who persevered through their first year as a new band
booster organization. Their support throughout the year for all the concerts
and the CMEA band festival was fully enjoyed by all of the band students.
At Live Oak, more than anything else, I
regret leaving behind the students that have had such a huge part in our
success over the past four years. Who would have thought that out of the two
musical productions that were reviewed by AMT-SJ (American Musical Theater,
San Jose) that Live Oak would be nominated for 'Best Student Orchestra' for
both of them and would be honored with the award–before U.S. Congress, no
less–for Fiddler On The Roof? This, from a school district that hasn't
supported a string program in decades.
The concert band program at Live Oak: despite
not having a Winter Concert this year (no venue) earned a 'Unanimous
Superior' rating at the California Music Educators Association Band Festival
in May. I believe that makes a clean sweep over the past four years– all
"Unanimous Superiors."
Memorable jazz this year: Performing live on
KBAY with a jazz combo made up of members from the daytime jazz ensemble
class. And then there's the trophies from Reno NV '06 (yes!) again in '07
and '08. More than that, the fun we had at rehearsals. I'll admit something
to the night-time jazz students: There were many times when I was
dead-tired, dragging my tail to rehearsal on those long Tuesday and Thursday
evenings. I don't know about you guys, but I always went home "pumped."
The Emerald Regime Marching Band and Color
Guard: This year's guard was a blast. I was so happy (and relieved) that we
were able to enjoy such a great "breakout" year. This, along with the highly
successful restart of the middle school guard all but assures that you're
going to have a lot to look forward to next year. It's been a somewhat rocky
road but I hope everyone agrees that we're on the right path. The high
school guard going to Dayton, OH for WGI (World Guard Int'l) and ending up
as one of the top 50 in their class, in the country…with only six members?
This is something I expect you to remember for the rest of your lives.
As far as the Emerald Regime is concerned:
Wow. I NEVER thought we would enjoy so much success together. When I came to
Live Oak in 2004, my highest expectation was that we would simply not
embarrass ourselves. Making it to Finals was beyond my expectation. When I
realized we had won Class AA in prelims I was in a state of disbelief. When
we did it again in 2005 I believe I finally started to "get" what the
Emerald Regime was all about. In 2006 we took another big hit to our
numbers, falling to Class A for the first time in several years. To make it
worse, perennial Class A powerhouses like Davis and Newbury Park had
outscored us all season long and again, we really didn't know what would
happen at prelims. Taking 2nd place in Class A was a win for us -- we had so
many first year marchers that year, along with injuries, late drops...I
wasn't disappointed at all (well…not much). As for 2007? "Theater of
Darkness" knocked my socks off. I guess it's all about meeting or surpassing
expectations and after dropping to 46 total members, I still thought we had
a good shot at class championships. However, winning as we did -- outscoring
all of the Class A, AA and all but four of the AAA bands -- clearly exceeded
all of my expectations. I still find it amazing that this organization can
excel at such a high degree with so little support or recognition from the
school. Now, I don't want to demean our football or baseball teams
accomplishments this year. They, too, reached a level of where they can take
great pride in their success. But, making it to, or winning CCS is no more
difficult than winning WBA (Western Band Association) Class Championships.
But, one would never know it when listening to the morning announcements at
Live Oak. Hey! We won three WBA Class Championships in the last four years!
Regrets
1. Leaving the kids, leaving the kids, leaving the kids...
2. Leaving a tremendous, hard-working group of committed parents and classy
group of band boosters. It was a joy to work with each of you
3. Not being able to do anything about the elementary music program myself
(aside from beating my head against a wall)
4. Not getting more recognition for the kids and the program
5. Lastly, having to move on. This is one of the toughest things I've had to
do in my life, but my family has to come first. Stable employment with a
school district that recognizes that supporting music means much more than
giving it lip service is more than just compelling. It's a must.
After great deliberation and several family
meetings, I have accepted a full-time music teaching position in San Jose
for 2008-2009. I'll be working for a small school district that has a
thriving music program (band, orchestra, choir). The school's administration
is very supportive of the program and the superintendent has a musical
background–a former band director himself. It was the superintendent who
contacted me personally and recruited me for the position. If you're finding
my decision difficult to accept, please realize this has been especially
tough for my wife and sons. Not only have Matthew and Michael become victims
of the middle school music cuts, they've made no secret of their dreams of
marching with the Emerald Regime next year with their dad as the director.
Our color guard director, Sharon Gordon, has
agreed to direct the Emerald Regime for this year's 4th of July as I will
not be involved. Under the circumstances, this would just be too awkward for
many of the kids in the band. All members of the band, color guard, alumni
and incoming freshmen are invited to march and should be at the Live Oak
band room at 9:00 AM Saturday for our 1st rehearsal. Jacquie Tolson will be
leading the band as drum major.
For next season:
Jonathan, Nick and Doris are all heading to a great drum major camp in SoCal
I've made arrangements for the show music to be arranged by Nick Rodriguez
I've submitted the musical selection for 'permission to arrange' for band,
through CopyCat, Inc. Most of the marching staff is set, but still some
issues with percussion staff I have published the fall calendar but have NOT
registered for any WBA shows (this should be the decision of the next band
director)
I hope to complete teaching summer band with
John Bremis on July 11. However, if the band boosters (sponsors) prefer to
find someone else to teach summer band until its completion, I would
understand.
Those of you who consider me their friend are
welcome to talk with me about any of this. I'm happy to have the opportunity
to explain things better than my ability to write this long-winded email
message.
Finally, thank you for all the years of friendship, hard work and support.
Sincerely,
Greg Bergantz |
