Schools
School District Concert Highlights Young Musicians
About 400 students performed in the district-wide concert, but future school budget cuts could affect funding for music programs.
Whether it was the Mickey Mouse March or Journey's Don't Stop Believin', families enjoyed an hour of music performed by students from Milpitas public schools on Thursday.
The district-wide concert at the gym demonstrated the abilities of students in the music program. This year's program involves about 400 students and five music teachers from the elementary to high school level.
The number of students in the elementary school music programs has dropped since school budget cuts began requiring families to pay three years ago, said Christopher Kaldy, the district's music director. The participation of elementary students shrunk to a third of what it was before, from about 300-100.
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"With the state budget the way it is," he said, "the schools are always the last to get the funding."
The current cost for the elementary music program is $140 per semester, he said.
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Music instruction by Kaldy, along with Nicole Poulin, Joseph Santomieri, Michael Vieyra and Jeff Yaeger, cover the elementary, middle and one high school in the district, except . That school did not have enough students registered for a program on its campus this year.
Kaldy said proceeds from will go toward lowering costs for elementary students, including providing scholarships for those who need it.
This year, the district had 10 students ( and two from ) make honor bands at the county, regional and state level. The students—Justin Cheng (Russell Middle), May Lee, Chris Swan, Calvin Yan, Amy Zhao, Vanessa Yeh, siblings Wesley Lin (Russell Middle) and Karen Lin, and sisters Erin and Rory Pang—were recognized during the program.
Beverly James, director of assessments and special projects, is retiring from the district after three decades and was asked to guest conduct for the final song, Lady Gaga's Bad Romance.
The event was also attended by the school board vice president, Dan Bobay; assistant superintendents, Michelle Dimas and Cheryl Jordan; and Alecia Myers, principal of the adult education program.
