Southeastern Section Update

Dr. David Betancourt Southeastern Section President

How about a good story?

I think we all love stories. Can probably even say that it is often the stories that continue to inspire us to teach and make a difference. They help to remind us of why we work so hard, day in and day out, and even over the summer.

We make a difference. Small acts can have a huge impact.

About a year and a half ago, a wonderful man by the name of Ron Wakefield made contact in an effort to bring some kids from Mexico to the LA area for a musical experience. Some of you may remember him. He established an award-winning program at North Park Middle School in Pico Rivera. He has since left there to pursue his passion for helping underrepresented and underprivileged children experience music making. That journey is a story for another time.

He has been in Tijuana for a few years now, working with the children who live in the poverty-stricken slums, providing music education for them, giving them a different way to experience life. He started a string group. He wanted to bring that string group to the States to perform. This would involve getting visas for the students - no easy task! Letters to the consulate were sent, dates were scheduled, concerts were tentatively organized. This was a long-term project and had been in the planning and process stages for over a year. Just weeks before the scheduled trip this past May, the students had still not been interviewed for their visas. And then it happened. The students had interviews and were granted visas. The trip was on! Their itinerary was packed, as directors know that is the best way to keep the kids out of trouble. Everything they experienced was new: traveling by van, leaving their town, crossing the border, eating at In-N-Out, seeing new places and people, and the performances. They had several performances. They performed at churches and even at a private party that was organized especially for them. Their final performance was at a college where they performed with the college and two other high schools. The final number was a mass orchestra selection. All the kids had pizza together. The group from Tijuana had concert attire that had been specially sewn by one of the moms just for this performance. To say that this experience went past the musical aesthetics would be an understatement. Every one of those kids in that orchestra now have a visa and they have established a path to legally and safely travel to the United States. This could quite possibly change the trajectory of their family lineage. So how was the music? It was sublime.

The resonance, accuracy of pitch and rhythm, musicality, all of it. Evidence of pedagogy was on full display. But more importantly, there was emotion and that strong sense of family. When the groups combined for the final number, it was one big family, and it was breathtaking. Subsequent trips are already being planned, this time with more students from Mexico. And it all started with a willingness to create something together, through music.

We make a difference. Small acts can have a huge impact.

And as far as the CMEA Southeastern Section activities? Well, we recently had an amazing inaugural Mariachi showcase that was hosted at Sunkist Elementary School in Anaheim. The groups that performed were so much fun to listen to and it felt really good to witness every group having a large appreciative audience. This event is sure to grow in popularity and reputation as we expand our reach to provide our area with services and resources. The section is making plans for another leadership symposium, next year’s Mariachi Showcase, and collaborations with various groups to bring additional festivals to the region. Enjoy the