Cal High’s band has had a new teacher every year for the past five years, and this year is no exception.
New music director Robert Grigas took over in August to continue his career that has spanned the past 21 years.
Since there’s been so many switches in band directors over these past few years, Grigas agrees there isn’t much room for students to progress as much as they could with all of the change. Still, he’s very excited to be starting at Cal.
“I do think that these students are very resilient,” Grigas said. “They know how to get the job done. With or without a teacher.”
Students know that they’re in the program to play music together, and they enjoy doing so. Having a new director and new rules doesn’t discourage them, but it’s not helpful either.
“[Grigas] is nice, but the worst part is each teacher does different things,” band student Niket Ramamurti said.
It takes some time for students to adjust to new teaching styles and rules. This is especially true for a band since the teacher needs to be there to understand their playing styles individually and as a group.
“He’s a very thoughtful, smart, and enthusiastic teacher,” orchestra and choir teacher Lori Willis said.
She also recognizes that so much change disrupts students’ progress. Willis describes the band students as dedicated and passionate about the music program.
Willis said students show how much they care by taking on leadership roles during times when they don’t really know what’s going on with their band. She wants students to remember to be open and flexible about change.
Daniel Rugani, Cal High’s marching band director and Pine Valley Middle School’s band teacher, sees that Grigas is a great teacher and the students are really liking him. But he knows a band needs consistency and stability to improve.
“It’s hard for us because there’s no consistency, and I think it’s hard for parents,” Rugani said. “When we have fundraisers, I think it’s hard for families to want to participate in that.”
Parents know about all the changes, and usually they don’t like how consistently the role of Cal’s music director is changing. It’s not just students and teachers that find this hard, it’s concerned parents who want to know if their child is getting a good education.
For the past few years, once students have had the chance to adapt to a new teaching style, there’s a new teacher.
Despite the disruption, Grigas aims to create a safe space for students to connect with each other through music.
He said he values being able to build relationships with his students so he understands their playing styles. He knows it’s important for a band to connect so they can move forward.
Every teacher’s teaching style is different. Not only do the students need to get used to a new teacher, but the teacher needs time to get to know all the new students.
Most of the students in the program have been playing music together for years, so it’s important when a new director comes in, they get familiar with how they play together.
But one characteristic each band director seems to have in common is they all truly cared about the students and wanted to help and see students progress as musicians.
Students have been flexible with all the switches, and while it is tough for the band to adapt to constant change, at the end of the day they’re all there to play music and have fun.
