REYNOLDS

Even without a director, the Reynolds High School band will march on, according to Superintendent Dr. Anthony Trosan, Reynolds Band Boosters and band members.

"We've eliminated the teaching position, not the band program," Trosan told a crowd of students and concerned parents Monday at a meeting about the future of the school's band program.

Last month, the school board laid off band director and music teacher Michael Mazzocco, despite objections from students and Band Boosters. He was one of 13 teachers who lost their jobs to help make up for a $2 million budget shortfall, which was made public in May. Cutting Mazzocco's job saved the district about $70,000 including benefits, Trosan said.

Emotions ran high at the two-hour meeting, which Trosan said was intended to "answer questions about where we are with our band program and how far we are in getting a new director."

"I understand you're angry, but there's nothing I can do to make things different," he said. "If you want to get your anger out, that's fine ... I've been a band parent myself. My wife and I were band boosters. It's not that I'm not sympathetic."

By the end of the meeting, Trosan and the boosters worked out a few solutions, such as implementing parent volunteers and having the older students step in to help.

Students were concerned that band camp has not yet started because the board has not filled the extra-curricular band director position. It pays $1,700.

Trosan said the band director does not have to be a certified teacher, but should have some experience and pass necessary clearances. He said as soon as a band director is hired, band camp can start -- possibly as soon as the middle to end of the week if a suitable candidate is found.

The position has been advertised, and Trosan said he called music departments at local colleges to search for candidates. He said he talked to four potential candidates but none was interested.

Another teacher substituted for the band director last week, when the band marched in the Transfer Harvest Home parade.

Parents and students were also upset at the idea of band program without Mazzocco, saying that quality and enrollment will drop, elementary students will not want to be in the high school band and seniors who plan to major in music in college won't get the proper training. They were also concerned about how the two remaining music teachers would handle the scholastic workload.

Others felt other extracurricular programs, particularly sports, did not suffer the cuts the way the band program did.

In addition, students were worried they would not get their music and routines down in time for "Raiders Night" on Aug. 29 because their practice schedule has been reduced from eight hours a day for two weeks to four hours a day for one week. Students said the practices were shortened after complaints of hazing last year.

"Every year the marching band does the 'Big Show,' " one girl said. "How are we going to put on this 'Big Show' with only 20 hours of practice? It's impossible."

"Yes you can," said booster Secretary Dyana Thompson, "Because you will use what Mike (Mazzocco) taught you."

Until a band director is hired, Trosan said parent volunteers could help out, and students planned to go to the school today to look for sheet music to start practicing. One student suggested that seniors could help the younger students in their instrument sections.

"There's an opportunity here for students to step into leadership positions, which is the kind of thing that would be useful to have on a resume," Trosan said.

Several parents said they could rely on the students to keep the band program going.

"We need to have a little faith in our young people ... they've done a fantastic job," said booster President Bob McGarvey

Trosan said with a list of volunteers, band camp can get started as soon as Wednesday morning, but said the volunteer system would only work if there was coordination and continuity.

McGarvey said he will continue to support the band program, even if it's only made up of one student.

"I'll support the kids no matter what," he said. "The main thing is to support the kids. It is all about the kids. Whatever they have to do, I'll support whatever decisions they make."