Austin Public Schools is filled with music, and that doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

The district’s band program has grown rapidly in recent years, and the directors are trying to keep up. Today, 542 students participate in band in grades fifth through 12th, compared to 415 students a little more than two years ago, according to Austin High School Band Director Bradley Mariska.

Mariska said all three band directors — himself, Ellis Middle School Director Antonino Tarara and I.J. Holton Intermediate School Director Tim Davis — have put a lot of work into helping students find a passion for music.

“It’s really the philosophy of all three of us that we wanted to grow that program,” Mariska said. “Making sure we’re retaining students who are already in band … but also seeing more students just join band from the very beginning.”

Although gaining students for the program is a good problem to have, the directors wonder what could happen if the numbers continue to grow — which looks likely.

“We’re experiencing more than we’ve ever had of kids in the school district,” Davis said.

 Growing trends

Mariska noted the band had little diversity when he first came, and students from several community segments didn’t participate, due to either cost or because the family had never participated before. The directors hoped to make it possible for any student to join, which prompted instrument donation drives to help get instruments into more hands.

“We have a very diverse band program right now,” Tarara said.

One of the biggest initiatives the band directors implemented was the mindset that the bands from each school are all part of one large program.

“I think we’re really well in line with each other as far as our music education philosophy,” Davis said. “And so we understand the importance of helping each other.”

The directors hope students stay in band from year to year and the program is designed to work with them through grade transitions. Tarara noted band kids can also participate in jazz band, pep band, marching band, and the solo and ensemble festival.

“One of the things we’ve tried to do is try to provide a lot more opportunities for the kids,” Tarara said.

Tarara noted when younger students see the outside programs band members are involved in they want to be a part of that as well.

Since the band has a strong reputation for retaining students, that could mean more students move up from one grade to another. For example, at I.J. Holton, there are 150 fifth-grade band students and 85 sixth-grade students. If 100 or more of those fifth-grade students move up and another 100 students come in as fifth-graders, that would leave Davis directing more students.

“We’re experiencing growth from the beginners, but also kids are staying in [band],” Davis said. “They’re choosing to continue their music studies through high school.”

 Adapting to change

Tarara said it’s good that students feel successful with their instruments, but the growing number comes with some concern.

“Ideally we just want to make sure that [we’re] able to still provide the quality instruction for the kids,” Tarara said.

The high school band is split into two classes, and Mariska said it’s likely to split into three for next year. Ellis also has two bands, and I.J. Holton is split into seven sections. The small groups at I.J. Holton have grown as well, making it difficult to give students individual attention.

“One thing we’ve always been really proud of … is there’s a long tradition of a great music program, band, choir, orchestra, and we don’t want to see that reputation slip,” Mariska said.

Educational Services Director John Alberts said it is wonderful to see so many students participate in the band program, and it speaks to the strength of the program and the staff the district has.

He noted, as with all school programs, the numbers of students is monitored to ensure the quality does not dissipate and the students get all they can from the music programs.

Mariska said organizers have discussed different ways to deal with the growing numbers, including holding a summer band program to help students learn the basics before they get into the school band. Alberts said the individual schools will be the ones to decide if they need to incorporate any programs or other ways to deal with the growing number of band students.

“We just want to make sure that people are thinking long term down the road,” Mariska said. “As far as we can see the next couple of years, the numbers are going to continue to grow.”