Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elementary Music topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, students and teachers urge Piedmont board to preserve elementary band
Summary
Dozens of parents, students and a district music teacher urged the Piedmont Unified School District to keep 4th–5th grade instrumental music, warning that removing woodwinds and brass would 'gut' the band pipeline, waste recently purchased instruments, and reduce student opportunities.
Public commenters packed the boardroom to oppose proposed cuts to elementary instrumental music, saying changes to 4th‑ and 5th‑grade programming would weaken the district’s band pipeline and reduce opportunities for students.
Trevor Mesrell, a Piedmont High and Middle School music teacher, told the board the proposal to remove elementary wind and brass instruction “isn’t just a scheduling shift. It’s a systemic weakening of our entire band program” and warned that instruments bought with Prop. 28 funds would sit unused. Parents and students shared personal accounts: Claire Weiss said starting trumpet in 4th grade set her on a path to study music in college, and Brian Weiss called the choice to force strings for 5th graders a decision that will “starve the pipeline for players.”
Board members and Superintendent Dr. Hahn said no final decision has been made and described the process as teacher‑driven. Hahn said the district’s initial intent was to augment—not cut—elementary music, and that three teacher‑led meetings had been held; he urged the community to “trust the process.”
The public speakers asked the district to preserve brass and woodwind options in elementary grades, emphasize the value of early ensemble experience, and reconsider any shift that would limit student choice. The board did not take action on the topic during this meeting; Hahn said further meetings and planning will continue.
