Music groups kick off season on a high note

The music programs at Blach Junior High and Mountain View High School are taking off this school year, according to Blach parents Barbara Heninger and Debra Laybhen. Despite state budget cuts, Mountain View and Los Altos residents are making it clear they want music in their schools.

With support from local educational foundations and PTAs, these schools are producing award-winning orchestras, and bands and choruses with high levels of participation, the parents said.

``It seems our local students have definitely discovered the joy of music,'' Laybhen said.

Blach Junior High kicked off the school year on Oct. 1 with its annual family dinner, at which 280 kids in the band, orchestra and choruses performed on the outdoor stage.

``It's great to have so many students in the music program this year,'' said band and orchestra director Vivian McNulty. ``The kids are having fun, and I can already hear improvement in their playing.''

The Blach music calendar includes six performance dates for each band and orchestra, including combined concerts with other local schools. It culminates in weekend competition trips to Southern California as part of the ``Music in the Parks'' program.

MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Award-winning band shares the joy of music

The Mountain View High School band tries to bring the award-winning marching band to as many local schools as possible -- giving younger students an incentive to start playing early.

On Oct. 15, they marched up Truman Avenue and over to Oak Avenue Elementary before school began to continue the tradition known as the ``October Surprise.'' Oak students and their families hurried out to get the best seat for the show, parents said.

Principal Leslie Crane welcomed the band, and Robin Kramer, the head of the performing arts department, explained the different band instruments. After the performance, Kramer presented Crane with this year's Mountain View High School Marching Band T-shirt.

Next stop of the morning was Blach Junior High. Each year, the band creates a new show, including synchronized drill formations. This year's show, ``The Elements,'' depicts the four mythical components of our Earth and features an original score and drills by Adam Beck, music director along with Kramer.

Before the day ended, the high school band presented its program at Graham Middle School.

-- Kellie Schmitt,

Mercury News