Joe Sandoval
Keeping Music in our Schools
Two years ago, the Lodi Unified School District was forced to lose its band program due to budget cuts. As a response, Bear Creek High School music teacher, Joe Sandoval, created the Bruin Elementary Bands program in an effort to keep music alive for local kids. Today, more than eighty elementary school students gather at Bear Creek High School each Tuesday afternoon to participate in Sandoval's program.
Sandoval began playing the clarinet when he was in fifth grade and has been teaching music for twenty-five years. Today, the saxophone is his primary instrument, though he is required to play all of the band instruments in order to teach. Sandoval combined forces with Kathy Evans of Manilo Silva Elementary in order to organize the current after-school program.
Two Bear Creek alumni also participate as band director and percussion instructor. The turnout for the program was much higher than Sandoval expected, and children from local public, private, and charter schools are all welcome to participate. "I have to admit I was surprised that we had such an overwhelming response given the economic climate," says Sandoval, adding that the number of kids involved says a lot about local families and their commitment to their children's education.
To encourage new students to join, the program occasionally hosts a ‘Meet the Instruments Night' in which a variety of instruments are put on display for students to test. "That's always an amazing evening, to see the kids having so much fun," says Sandoval. "A lot of kids come in with an idea of what they want to play and come away with something completely different." Music not only benefits a child's development in terms of cognitive ability, small motor coordination, and eye scanning, but it benefits them socially as well. "When you're in a band, it's like you're in a family. You have a place where you belong." Sandoval says that band participation helps students develop leadership skills, cooperation, and personal responsibility.
Sandoval says he hopes that every student who participates in the program will develop a lifelong love of music, and a participation in music that extends beyond high school and college. The students held their winter concert in December, and Sandoval is looking to hold future performances at some of the larger elementary schools. In May, a final spring concert will be held at Bear Creek High School.
Though the budget cuts have been a disappointing reality, the school district is doing the best they can with what they have to work with, Sandoval says, adding that they have had to make tough decisions. "I'm hoping and crossing my fingers that it will get better," he says. Ultimately, Sandoval says he'd like to see music programs taught by band teachers in local schools again, thereby eliminating the need for his program. Until that day comes, he is committed to providing this resource to local students. "I will do it as long as it's necessary," he says.
