Dos Pueblos High School has a fairly extensive music program that includes Jazz Band, Orchestra, Marching Band, and three different Choirs. I believe that another class should be added to this list: a rock instrument class.
However, this option is not yet available at DPHS, due to underfunding in the music department.
According to the Tanglewood Symposium, many schools have similar programs to DPHS, but some have begun to offer additional classes. These schools are calling it a “modern band,” a “pop band,” or a “rock band.” A typical modern band consists of five or six parts: lead/electric guitar, rhythm/acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drum kit, and vocals (who often will play one of these instruments as well).
Rock bands are a different style of music, and they can also help students learn and build their music skills. Aimee Ware, DPHS Instrumental Music director, offered her thoughts on the inclusion of a rock band into the music curriculum.
“You can definitely take music education into that route,” Ware said. “It’s just a different style of pop music, and it also tends to be less complex than something like jazz.”
Rock bands such as AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, The Beach Boys, and Nirvana are well-known and have a lot of modern songs that are in acoustic or rock forms. Playing songs that students enjoy will make music more engaging for them, allowing them to have more fun while they are learning music.
This can already be seen in DPHS’s Jazz Band, who often perform popular music.
“We do get to play rock tunes in Jazz Band, as well, arranged for Jazz Band,” Ware said.
Music should be easily accessible for everyone, as music has been shown to have mental health benefits and can prevent cognitive decline in seniors.
According to the Community Music Center of Boston, studies show that “music therapy reduces anxiety and depression in children, teens, and even older adults.”
Music classes should be an option for all musicians, including those who want to learn more modern styles, but at DPHS, the music department doesn’t have enough funding to add any classes.
At DPHS, music classes are taught by only two teachers; Vocal Music is taught by Courtney Anderson, and Instrumental Music is taught by Ware. According to Ware, the entire music department gets only $500 a year from the school for the existing “seven or eight” band ensembles.
“That’s to run marching band, that’s to run concert band, that’s to run both jazz bands, that’s to run pit orchestra, that’s to run our combos, our regular orchestra, drum line, and choirs,” Ware said.
Underfunding of the music department has been an issue in the Santa Barbara Unified School District for years.
The Santa Barbara Independent covered the districtwide arts classes cuts that were made last year. Teachers said that they were protesting the cuts because performing arts is such a “valuable tool” for students.
There isn’t currently the space or resources for a new class, as Ware currently has a full schedule. She says that “funding is the main reason” DPHS can’t add a class, because the school would need to hire another teacher.
However, DPHS should be valuing music education because of the many benefits it brings to students. The music education available should have bands for all students, including ones who want to learn different rock music. Don’t treat rock as a lesser music genre.
