Davis Joint Unified School District’s renowned music program underwent a staffing change earlier this year. This change has raised concerns within the community about the future of the program.
Before last summer vacation, the school district sent an email to parents and students informing them that the music programs at Harper Middle School and Emerson/Da Vinci Middle School will each be led by one music teacher. E-mail notes that changes have been made to ensure the sustainability and consistency of the music program and that having one instructor at each site is more sustainable reducing the need for traveling teachers. He said that it would be a perfect staffing model.
The music program itself consists of choral, band and orchestra disciplines that have been taught by professionals. The educators who teach music in these schools are entitled to do so, but Holmes and Davis High School orchestra his director, Angelo Moreno, has expressed dissatisfaction with the changes and also says that now continues to express. district music program. He is not alone in this regard, as music students and parents have also voiced concerns at a recent school board meeting.
“Emerson is showing a significant drop in enrollment,” says Moreno. “I went there to do a high school outreach discussion about the 9th grade audition process. After speaking, half of the children dropped out of Emerson’s music program within the first seven days of school.
“From the perspective of a teacher who spends 80% of my time each year on outreach to increase enrollment in orchestral programs, I hear that programs took 23 years to build and were destroyed in 7 days. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s not frustrating.”
Moreno said Emerson’s parents have lodged complaints with the principal, school district and school board. Meanwhile, the Davis High School Music Program and the Holmes Middle School Orchestra have assisted the Emerson Music Program in this regard. Moreno has also expressed concern over Harper Jr. High, claiming it has the fewest band registrations in years.
“This is all a ripple effect from the main problem of bringing in professionals who are willing to focus on the choral program and rebuild it at the secondary school level to two choirs per secondary school as before. So that the high school choir program can thrive and continue to build from there,” Moreno said. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to build a feeder program, but the district needs to focus on hiring middle school level guys to revive the middle school choir program.”
Recently named one of the 50 Directors Who Make a Difference by the national magazine School Band and Orchestra, Moreno continues to advocate for the enhancement of the professional and holistic music programs.
The district has declined to comment, but the concerns raised have not fallen on deaf ears. said it would host a community and staff forum to discuss the future of the music program. Creating a shared vision.
It also says that with the passage of Proposition 28, we need to develop potential uses for new funds designed to enhance our arts and music offerings. A music community forum he is scheduled for January 12th.
— Contact Aaron Geerts at aaron.geerts@mcnaughton.media.