May 15, 2021
Meet the Winners: Upgrade Your Band Room Sweepstakes
How $50,000 in new instruments from Pearl, Adams and Belsona elevated the band program at Martin Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Marie Hernandez has taught a remarkable range of ages, classes and ensembles throughout her three decades as a music educator — from Pre-K to high-school seniors, elementary choir to high-school band. “I have loved teaching music every year,” she says, “but my biggest love is teaching band.”
She landed the perfect position three years ago, when she started working as band director at Sterling B. Martin Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas. With a focus on student empowerment rooted in the school’s overall mission statement, the music program at Martin aligned completely with Hernandez’s own long-held teaching philosophy: “I believe all children, regardless of age or ability, are able to grow through music learning.”
But as she settled in with her students — the school’s band offerings include beginning band, campus band, concert band and percussion ensemble — she noticed one area in dire need of improvement: Too many instruments broke down too often, requiring constant repair.
That’s where the Upgrade Your Band Room Sweepstakes from Music & Arts entered the picture. Presented with generous support from top instrument manufacturers Pearl, Adams and Belsona, this prize allowed one lucky band director to hand-select $50,000 worth of new instruments for their program.
Already, these instruments are inspiring smiles in the band room and fantastic results in competition. “The students were able to use all the new marching percussion equipment at the Corpus Christi Junior Buc Parade in May. We received third place for marching,” says Hernandez. “We were also able to use the new instruments at the UIL Concert Contest in March, where we received Superior ratings in sight-reading! And we had 48 students receive 96 first-division medals at the Solo & Ensemble Contest in May. The new instruments really did help!”
When asked to reflect on how Upgrade Your Band Room has changed her program, Hernandez is filled with gratitude. “The students were so happy and excited to receive the new instruments,” she says. “Thank you to everyone at Music & Arts for making this possible.”
On behalf of Music & Arts, that feeling of appreciation is mutual — for Marie Hernandez and all the educators nationwide who help us fill the world with music.
