WATSONVILLE — In the midst of a youth band concert Wednesday, 10-year-old Ben Miller performed a short trumpet solo. The piece was part of “The Monkeys,” a song he composed.
The morning performance was the culmination of Watsonville Community Band’s Summer Youth Music Program, a six-week camp created to bolster music programs in Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Such a program is vital as the district strives to rebuild its music program, which was eviscerated during recession-era budget cuts, said program coordinator Jeanne Byrne.
The students met twice a week for six weeks to learn to play clarinets, flutes, trumpets, percussion, trombones and saxophones.
The program was $25, a voluntary fee made possible by band members who volunteered their time. The 40 participants ranged in age from 6-17.
“Watsonville Community Band is very volunteer-oriented,” Byrne said. “We’re part of the Watsonville community, and the community is very important to us.”
Band director Gail Black had high praise for the participants.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and this is the hardest working group of kids ever,” he said. “I’ve never seen a group like this. They follow instructions, they listen, they try their best. I know everything doesn’t work out perfectly, but this group does what they need to do and I’m impressed.”
