“Celebrate” School Bands and Orchestras with Two Concerts this Week

A scholarly crowd may expect Pleasanton elementary band teacher, , to say that the reason for music education and band instruction is to foster academic growth in all disciplines – from mathematics to history, and everything in between.

But while the assumption may be correct regarding this benefit of music education, Borris puts it more simply.

“The best part of band is making music!” he said. Two evenings of concerts, tonight and tomorrow night, will feature the musical talents of Pleasanton elementary, middle and high school band and orchestra students who have grown as musicians through the district’s band programs.

For the second consecutive academic year, the salaries of elementary band and strings teachers have been funded by private fundraising through Pleasanton Schools Educational Enrichment.

The current year’s funding included only enough for each teacher to run one, one-hour band class per week at each elementary school, with as many as 50 children in each school’s band class. Prior to budget cuts, Borris taught two band classes per week at each elementary site, serving the same number of band students in class sizes of less than 25 children.

The elementary band program also includes a fifth-grade honor band, SuperBand, which practices once a week January through March. At a March 30, 2011, concert at the Amador Theatre, the group of more than 65 students performed several pieces of music including a piece of music the students had never seen until the night of the concert. The attached video clip shows Borris explaining the piece, as well as a clip of the well-played, sight-read music.

“At last year’s ‘Celebrate’ concert, $27,500 was raised to help this year’s band and strings classes,” said Borris. “In addition to the fundraising aspect, this is an excellent chance for musicians and families to hear the fantastic middle and high school bands that we have in Pleasanton.”

Following are the details for the PSEE fundraising music event, Wednesday and Thursday, April 27 and 28:

Hear some outstanding young musicians at “Celebrate!”-- a band and strings festival to support elementary music education, featuring performances from Pleasanton bands at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

• Where: , 4900 Valley Ave, Pleasanton, CA
• Date: Wed., April 27, 2011 and Thu., April 28, 2011
• Time: 7:00pm
• Cost: $10 adults; $5 students/seniors

The event includes a silent auction of gift baskets, casual and fine dining, tickets for professional sports teams, and other great items. All proceeds from the concert and auction will help fund PSEE's efforts to support the elementary band and strings program in Pleasanton Unified. 

Download the movie