Who knew that a teacher’s encouraging words would plant a seed that changed a young student’s focus in life—and make a dynamic impact in the Oakland community many decades later?
The seed for Oakland Unified School District Summer Camp was planted nearly 50 years ago when Randy Porter was an OUSD student. Porter teaches music at Roosevelt Middle School.
“I was a music student when Oakland was nationally known for having one of the best music programs in the nation,” he said. “I was in a summer music program and played trombone. The teacher who was in charge of brass instruments communicated to me that I had talent. I’ve always remembered that.”
By the time he was a junior in high school, funding for the arts had changed, and the summer music program disappeared, though Porter continued to play music. After graduation and completing his post-secondary education, Porter returned to OUSD—and this fall, he starts his 38th year in teaching.
He said that around 2010, he started thinking OUSD needed to reintroduce the summer music program and shared his vision with Director of Visual and Performing Arts Phil Rydeen.
“Randy and I work well together. He had a huge vision for this program. I can take that vision and help operationalize it within OUSD,” Rydeen said. “This is really a partnership between expanded learning-summer programs, community partnerships, as well as a number of other OUSD departments.”
“At the time, I was told to start small. So we started Oakland summer jazz with about 40 kids in the summer of 2013. It was fantastic and immediately very successful,” Porter said.
The program grew quickly, with nearly 200 students participating this last summer. Participation has been focused on middle school students, but 27 high school student mentors also participated.
“They (mentors) did the program as middle schoolers and wanted to come back,” Porter said. “They already play music and this allows them to build on those skills by learning to lead and teach younger students.”
The program also includes college interns. “A lot of our interns graduated from OUSD music programs and then matriculated into college music majors,” Porter said. “The interns talked to the high school mentors about their experiences studying music at schools like Peabody, the Manhattan School of Music, Oberlin, UCLA, USC, and Berkeley School of Music. This was a real highlight of the program.”
Community members also interact with students.
“We bring in the very best musicians and music teachers, not just from the Bay Area but even from other parts of the country,” Porter said. “(These professionals) are willing to come and do this at very little cost.” While some professional musicians receive a small stipend, it often doesn’t cover their expenses.
Porter would like to add a summer vocal music track to the program. “Right now students need to complete a full year of music to attend middle school music camp,” he said.
Rydeen also wants to expand the program by providing rising sixth-graders with instruments and lessons to help them prepare for middle school music education opportunities.
All OUSD students interested in music have an instrument to use free of charge, Porter said. “We have an instrument for anyone who needs one whether it’s for the school year or summer music program.”
“We want more and more students to participate, so we continue to work at growing this program,” Rydeen said. “We want all of our students to have access to these amazing opportunities.”
“We do rely on fundraising,” Porter said. “We need community support to make these (music) programs what they are.”
“Our kids need performance opportunities and opportunities to exhibit their work. It brings the community around the arts. It’s important for the students, families, and teachers.”
You can support OUSD music and arts programs directly through their donation page.
Music Matters
Learning music has effects on students that reach far beyond the practice room or classroom walls. It’s a critical piece of a well-rounded education and can help kids do better in school.
“We now know that playing a musical instrument in an ensemble activates more parts of the brain than any other human activity,” said Randy Porter, OUSD music teacher at Roosevelt Middle School. “Numerous studies demonstrate that students gain a higher cognitive ability, better social acclamation, better earning potential, higher test scores—and the list just goes on and on.”
Music also makes a positive impact on the community. For example, this fall, the Ed Fund is partnering with the OUSD Visual and Performing Arts Office (VAPA) to present the Oakland Grown: Student Art & Music Festival, on Saturday, October 19.
The event will feature student performances and visual arts displays, art activities, and a headliner to be announced.
“The most important reason to play music together is just that—to play music together. This gets to the essence of the best parts of humanity,” Porter said.
