Mill City music teacher Tobias Burrows spotlights band and 'School of Rock' program

Tobias Burrows, the district's music teacher, presented the educational spotlight and described a program built "to use music to create good people and give students the tools to engage with music for the rest of their lives." He outlined a concert band sequence (beginning, intermediate, advanced) alongside a School of Rock track that introduces middle schoolers to bass, keyboard, drums and guitar and moves high school students toward specialization.

Burrows told the board the program this year secured two grants "totaling over $7,500" that will fund new sound equipment and closer-to-professional instruments so student performances are safer and more sustainable. He recounted recent extracurricular experiences — a clinic at the University of Oregon and a trip to the Oregon Symphony — and said the advanced band competed at OSAA festivals, with two scores narrowly missing state qualification in their first-year appearance.

Board members asked about grade eligibility and community performances; Burrows said concert band currently begins in sixth grade and School of Rock in seventh. He said the program hopes to increase appearances at home football and basketball games and is open to community events such as local Fourth of July celebrations, subject to logistics and scheduling.

Burrows closed by stressing student-led reflection after each performance to guide curriculum redesign, and by noting plans to continue applying for grants to extend student opportunities.