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Q&A with Band and Orchestra Directors Zachary Christy and Duane Otani
What is your professional background and what sparked your interest in working with high school students?
Zachary: This is my second year teaching high school. I was at Ramona High School last year. I was always the epitome of a “band geek.” Band was always my safe space growing up throughout school. I felt like giving that safe space back to other students was what I was meant to do.
“Each year is a new experience and a new story to be written.”
Duane: This is my 14th year of teaching. My interest in teaching high school students came at an early age when I started in middle school band. My middle school teacher was a huge inspiration in my life and I was instantly hooked on music and I knew that I wanted to teach when I grew up.
What has been the most rewarding part of your role? The most challenging?
Seeing students experience music and the joy on their faces when they are performing and experiencing the product of their hard work. The most challenging is being able to get to know each of the 300 students personally.
Can you tell us about the history of this discipline at RBHS? How has the discipline grown or evolved over the years?
The instrumental music program has a long history of success over the course of the school’s history. Over the years, the instrumental music program has performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Carnegie Hall, and presented concerts in Hawaii and Europe. The RB instrumental music program is known throughout the state of California for consistently producing high-level performing ensembles. The marching band has earned numerous sweepstakes awards and is among the top programs in the state. The orchestra and concert bands receive consistent superior ratings at every festival that they attend.
Are there any upcoming performances the community should look forward to?
The marching band will perform at marching
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band competitions on Saturdays until Nov. 21 with their culminating performance at the SCSBOA Championships. The orchestra had their fall concert Oct. 26 in the RBHS PAC. The wind ensemble had a joint fall concert with the Bernardo Heights Middle School Band on Oct. 28 in the RBHS PAC. In December the band will have their winter concert on Dec. 14 and the orchestra will have their winter concert on Dec. 15.
How many performances do you put on a year? What type of productions do you generally put on?
The marching band performs a sevenminute competitive field show which is performed at marching band tournaments and home football games. The production involves over 200 band, color guard, and drumline members who perform in unity as the Royal Regiment. The orchestra and concert bands perform every other month throughout the school year. Performance dates are available on the instrumental music website calendar at www.rbmusic.org.
Is there any way the community can help support the performing arts at RBHS? Attending performances and supporting fundraisers throughout the school year.
Do you have any favorite memories or experiences from your time at RBHS?
There are many memories that have been created over the year. The greatest experience has been working to maintain the strong program history and keep the standard of the program at a high level. Each year is a new experience and a new story to be written.
At-A-Glance Instrumental Music Teachers Name: Zachary Christy and Duane Otani Position: Instrumental Music – Band and Orchestra Education: Zachary Christy – B.A., Music Ed. from Point Loma Nazarene University; Duane Otani – B.A., Music Ed and M.A., Instrumental Conducting from Fresno State Community: San Diego Favorite Places in 92128: Pattaya Thai Restaurant