Moreno Valley Unified School District’s elementary band program is off to a strong start for the 2018-19 school year. About 900 students have enrolled in the program an increase of about 100 students over last year’s enrollment numbers.
The district's LCAP supported two elementary band teachers for the first time this year, including Derrick Williams, an experienced band teacher who joins the district from Hemet Unified School District. Having two teachers allows all schools to host the class or after school program on site, eliminating the need to transport students between schools for instrumental music.
The program prepares students in fourth and fifth grade to enter middle school with the basics, making the middle school programs stronger from the start. The elementary groups will participate in an all-elementary band concert and honor band concert near the end of the school year.
“All of us on the Board of Education are excited to see the significant increase of enrollment in our elementary band program,” said Board Vice President Jesus Holguin, “We thank Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Greg Solomon for his dedication in ensuring our students have the opportunity to participate in this wonderful program.”