By MOC ESCOBEDO

I have been asked what makes the Eckstein Middle School music program excel. I say that a music program cannot succeed without the community. This includes a fantastic parent support group, a strong principal, fantastic supporting teachers and administrative staff, private lesson teachers, the Seattle Youth Symphony, University of Washington student teachers, and students who are always willing to raise the bar.

This year, the Eckstein music program is getting more attention because we have been able to win at every music festival attended. In past years, Eckstein has usually placed in the top three spots.

This year, our jazz combo placed first at every festival, and our jazz band took second place in their category. Our top concert bands also received superior and excellent ratings at their band festival.

One of the best things about being a music director is being able to feature students who are willing to take a challenge.

This year, Eckstein bass player Emma Schachter won a soloist award at every festival attended. At the Reno jazz festival a few weeks ago, Emma won the award for best rhythm section player, and Eckstein's Isabella Graf won the award for best vocalist.

I believe the best award a student can receive is an unsolicited one. At the same time that we appreciate these outstanding individuals, we always keep in mind that they have an awesome supporting band that helped get them to the top.

As a music director, I believe my job is to provide students with as many performance opportunities as possible. At Eckstein, students have many opportunities to perform with the following groups: four concert bands, three jazz bands, four string orchestras, jazz combo, vocal jazz, and small ensembles for horn, bassoon, bass, oboe, clarinet and flute.

The groups rehearse at school 50 minutes a day, with no extra rehearsals during school breaks or outside of regular school hours.

The foundation for a good music program is starting the musicians at a young age. It is wonderful that Seattle School District Superintendent Joseph Olschefske and the School Board have decided to fully fund elementary school music programs in the School District. I feel very lucky to part of such a great community.

I also feel lucky to have great role models such as Scott Brown at Roosevelt High School, Clarence Acox at Garfield High School, and Bob Knatt at Washington Middle School.

I always say to create a successful music program, the three most important things are: Parents, parents, and parents. And to make a musician I teach three things: Scales, scales, and scales.

For more information about Eckstein Middle School band programs, please visit the Eckstein Bands Web site at www.seattleschools.org/schools/eckstein.