Ramona Bands Compose More Than Staccatos, Legatos and Crescendos
By Tracy Rolling

An impressive display of trophies sits above James and the Ramona High School marching band. Photos by Tracy Rolling

According to the National Association for Music Education (MENC), "Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts."

The State of California recognized that and distributed a one-time grant to public school districts from the 2006-2007 State Budget based on the districts average daily attendance (ADA).

Ramona Unified School District (RUSD) Superintendent Pete Schiff says that the district received $516,817 to be used for art, music and physical education programs.

Schiff adds that the board set general guidelines, but that teachers and staff made recommendations at each school site to determine how the money would be spent.

District music teachers Karl Lampe and Daniel James said the funding couldn't have come at a better time.

Lampe is responsible for the 4th through 8th grade bands and is a longtime member of MENC. He is a graduate of San Diego State University (SDSU) and holds a Masters Degree in Music Theory.

Ramona High School marching band practices at summer camp.

He says the funds will be used to purchase more instruments and music stands, and will be used to perform repairs on existing equipment. He admits that there is always a need for additional funds and identifies the generous support and donations from the community, as well as from many local Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), particularly Barnett PTA, Ramona Elementary PTA and Ramona Community PTA.

Each year an assembly is held during the first few weeks of school where a band presentation is made and eligible students are invited to participate. After a student's application is approved and with the consent of the student's parents and teacher, a meeting is held to communicate the expectations and details of the music program.

Lampe said that in 2003 there were approximately 150 sign ups, but this year he anticipates that more than 360 students will be interested.

"Unfortunately not everyone can afford to play," says Lampe, who acknowledges that while the program is free, there are other fees associated with music such as the purchase or rental cost of an instrument.

Daniel James sees a bright future for many of his talented students.

He also realizes that fundraising is a necessity when you want to making music available to all children.

In October and November students perform at local store fronts, accepting donations for the RUSD music program, as well as receiving performance experience and gearing up for the annual "all RUSD concert" in December held at Ramona Performing Art Center.

"Last years winter concert was completely sold out and it was a great way to support the music program", says Daniel James, another RUSD music teacher.

James is responsible for the Ramona High School marching band, color guard and jazz band and is a graduate of SDSU. He says the grant money will be used for new uniforms and will certainly benefit the 75 students in the program.

James teaches everything from woodwinds to the brass section and uses his own musical experiences to inspire his students by teaching performance techniques, isolated listening skills (so that students can identify independent instruments) and historical value of various compositions.

His goal is to motivate his students so that whether or not they perform music professionally, "they will have an appreciation of music which will help them with life skills such as discipline and teamwork."

He also recognizes that high school band is a big time commitment which requires about 8 to 10 after-school rehearsal hours, which does not include on campus time or weekend events such as playing at all of the high school football games, local competitions or independent practice time.

He adds that because it's an "elective" each student wants to participate and recently the marching band and color guard took to the practice field rehearsing for 2 weeks, 8 hours a day during a summer school program titled Band Camp.

For one dedicated student and graduate of Ramona High, all of that hard work paid off. Mark Miller was accepted into the Marine Corps Band last year and James is very proud of his former student.

Requirements for participating at the High School level include maintaining a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or better and committed parents. James says it takes the assistance of about 20-25 parents per performance to make everything come together and although the program is offered as part of a students education, it cost an average $600 per student to run the program.

James recommends that students in grades 4th-8th start early by taking private lessons. He welcomes the public to call him at the High School at 760- 787-4198 for referrals of students who teach and tutor at reduced rates.

Because MENC has been documenting success stories of adolescents who are exposed to music at an early age for 100 years now, their conclusions have revealed that students who are introduced to music experience superior academic marks in subjects such as English and math, higher graduation rates, significantly better verbal memorization, and enhanced brain development.

All of these are encouraging attributes not to mention higher Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores (which is the standardized testing for college admissions), as well as quantifiable success in employment and social structures with a lifetime of good habits such as critical thinking, the ability to deal with ambiguity, problem solving, perseverance and a drive for excellence.

Moreover, the creative skills children develop through music carry them toward new ideas, new experiences and new challenges, not to mention personal satisfaction, which is why RUSD students are sure to excel under James' leadership and Lampe's philosophy of inspiring his students to have a deeper love of music.