Some students at Chula Vista's Montgomery High School follow the beat of a different drummer; they pound calypso rhythms in a steel drum band. And at nearby Montgomery Middle School, students are jumping on the bandwagon to play mariachi music.
While traditional band programs remain strong, ethnic music programs are no longer considered second fiddle. Under the leadership of Keith Ballard, music director at both schools, students can create music that reflects their own culture or play the music of another culture, increasing tolerance and understanding in the process.
The programs are attracting lots of publicity - public appearances and media exposure - and also attracting students not likely to participate in other music programs.
Teacher Keith Ballard directs Montgomery Middle School students Sergio Sandoval, Thomas Marshall and Andrew Galvan.
"Traditional band programs don't pull in a lot of the kids who participate in the steel drum and mariachi ensembles," says Ballard, a Sweetwater Education Association member. The Caribbean is thousands of miles from Chula Vista, but with the festive sounds of Jamaica and Trinidad emanating from inside the Montgomery High School band room, it sounds like Carnival time. More than 30 steel drummers pound out Under the Sea in frenzied harmonies. Those who play bass or cello may have three to six drums apiece - each with about three notes - while tenor drums have 28 notes. Some of the students are "double drumming" the same notes on two drums.
Next the drummers break out into a rendition of Hot Hot Hot! The song is an apt description for the youthful drummers themselves, who are much in demand these days.
They have recorded a CD and play regularly for money. The student drummers were the only musical youth group in San Diego County booked for this year's Street Scene festival in downtown San Diego. And there was a gig on the Donny and Marie show, which is nationally syndicated.
Tamara Johnson and Tiffany Arias play steel drums built by Ballard.
"For me, this is unique and different," says Edward Dabu, 16. "This group gives me a chance to try something new and expand my musical horizons."
"I love it," beams Tamara Johnson, 14, who also plays flute in the regular school band. "I enjoy the performances because we're making people smile and feel good. I love it when people start dancing. Being on Donny and Marie was the best day of my life. It was so fun!"
Ballard was instrumental in bringing the program to the school. He owns all of the drums and made most of them himself from oil barrels. "There are 73 drums. I've invested $40,000 to $50,000 of my own money. I've put in thousands and thousands of hours in blood, sweat and tears. To make the drums, you have to bang away at them with a sledgehammer. After a few minutes of that, it really hurts. But you either do it yourself or it doesn't get done."
At Montgomery High School in Chula Vista, A.J. Shire and Elaine Samula.
It's been worth it, says Ballard, because the students are so enthusiastic. They average two professional jobs a month, ranging from $500 to $1,000, which goes toward supporting the program. The ensemble has increased school pride, boosted student self-esteem and brought endless amounts of fun and camaraderie to a diverse group of students. Next year, he plans on adding an African drum ensemble.
Students are first taught by rote. Note reading follows for those willing to learn. "A lot of traditional music teachers may not support that, but kids tend to give up if they aren't successful in the beginning," explains Ballard. "They need to see success quickly on an instrument. Fortunately, the steel drum is a very user-friendly instrument."
Those learning by rote have simple melodies "mapped" out for them while note readers play more complex arrangements. "I encourage them to read and tell them that if they want to be better, they need to learn how to read notes," he says.
Julissa Preciado, 15, says she is playing by memory and plans on advancing to reading music. "I have never played an instrument in my life, but I wanted a chance to participate in a multi-cultural activity," she says. "I thought I'd give it a try, because you can't find something like this in other schools. I'm having a great time and actually look forward to coming to practice."
"Mariachi gives me joy," exclaims Daniel Marin, 13, a student at Montgomery Middle School. "In band, I've tried every instrument from clarinet to drums. But mariachi is a style of music I understand. For me, it's the first thing at school I really like. I love it!"
"It's fun music; I like how the songs go," says Hakiem Mayo, 13, who is African American. "I thought it would be a good way to use my time."
There are 112 students in the middle school program. All are learning to read music, and the ensemble is broken up into violin, guitar and trumpet sections. Some of the youngsters play guitarrons - fat guitars that dwarf some students - as well as the tiny vihuela guitars. Eventually, all 112 will perform as a unit and wear fancy mariachi outfits.
Some kids will say, "Band is not for me, but I like mariachi music," says Ballard. "They relate to it because they hear it on the radio and their parents play it. It's part of their culture and they respond to it."
"I think it's helping to bring kids together. These types of programs cut down on prejudice. Sometimes, instead of going out and telling kids not to be prejudiced, it helps to introduce them to other cultures in such a way that it seems like the norm. I think it helps create a more positive outlook on diversity that will last throughout their lives.
