(This article represents the views of the 2015-2016 editorial board)
Administration’s decision to transition band director Mark Toffelmier away from his post could prove hasty. While we support site admin intentions to rejuvenate the VAPA department’s enrollment and effect, it may have been shortsighted to ignore the band program’s gradual, yet tangible growths in recent years.
We worry about the likelihood of band making an effective transition to a new director, and whether the blowback from Toffelmier’s departure will be worth uncertain improvement under new leadership.
Early hurdles are a near guarantee when transitioning significant positions like band director, and admin recognizes this with Toffelmier and his 26-year tenure. Yet, when the site chose against Toffelmier retiring on his own terms, they chose the risk of increased backlash.
A fresh band director will have to surmount inevitable growing pains working against the band’s demonstrated gains. Toffelmier led a program which has shownrecent marked improvement.
Course request numbers for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years reflect the growing status of the program. Marching band, an integral part of RHS traditions and vital presence at sporting events, saw slight improvement with requests growing from 37 to 43, while Symphonic Band had a dramatic increase of 24 to 42.
Alongside these increases, the newly-established Beginning Piano Lab course saw 61 requests, supporting the establishment of an intermediate follow up course for next school year.
Inadequate communication from admin to families did not go unnoticed. Site admin should have anticipated the great loyalty band students and families feel. With no immediately publicized continuity plan or reassurance, the news understandably left band families upset. Students and parents expressed through emails to site and district administrations their concerns and inquiries for the band program’s future and direction.
Admin felt the best course of action was a fresh start with a new band director stressing the importance of music programs at feeder middle and elementary schools.
We support this increased emphasis on feeder programs. Effective execution of this push could pay off with consistent influx of the talent admin is looking for to rejuvenate to program to desired levels. However, this effort and the process of rejuvenating the band program could have benefited from and begun under Toffelmier. With his years of experience, Toffelmier would surely be able to start this process and make a more well-planned exit when he was ready to retire.
In addition to increased enrollment, this year band enjoyed competitive success. In the 2A division, marching band placed second, third and second again at the Oakmont competition, Lodi Grape Bowl and championships in Stockton. More recently, percussion won two consecutive events at Woodcreek and in Elk Grove, before jumping from the novice to the more competitive intermediate circuit.
The band has something to show for the growth of its students.
While there is room for improvement, and a discrepancy in achievement between RHS band and other area school bands that may have warranted action, the process is as admin recognizes, gradual.
The expected roadblocks of transition may disappoint those looking for sharp, instant improvement from the leadership of a new band director.
Admin needs to take care to ensure the program doesn’t slip far from its recent gains. Toffelmier should figure critically into this process to counsel a new director, helping to minimize setbacks a the woes of transition.
