Evelyn Bruder’s Dream Team blog

Las Cruces High School Jazz One, directed by Mr. Trae Blanco

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Trae Blanco, band director at Las Cruces High School, about the state of public schooling in Las Cruces. As a fresh-faced 24 year old, Mr. Blanco almost looks like he could blend into the crowds of high school boys and no one would know the difference, but don’t let his youthfulness fool you; in his second year of teaching, Mr. Blanco has already received the New Mexico Music Educators Association’s New and Emerging Music Educator Award, as well as the LCHS Jazz One Group being featured as the Honors jazz ensemble at this years All-State music convention. In my profession, I encounter a lot of people facing relocation (either to Las Cruces or going away from it), and I know how much of a concern a city’s community is, especially things like schools and cultural activities; this is precisely why I wanted to sit down and speak with an educator like Mr. Blanco.

Mr. Blanco is energetic and bright in a social conversation, speaking at what seems like 250 words per minute, utilizing his hands and facial expressions to convey messages. After talking to him for just a few minutes, it’s easy to see why students and colleagues respect and like him so much. Aside from saving a spiraling band program from a sad future, Mr. Blanco’s enthusiasm for his job and students is contagious, something he says he learned from his time student-teaching with Mr. Neil Swapp, long-time director of the Mayfield HS Trojan Bands, and NMSU Music Department heads Dr. Greg Fant and Dr. Ken Van Winkle. When I asked him about the influences in his teaching, he says, “I can say that my teaching style is a blend of every great teacher I have encountered throughout my education… I could go on for days about all the teachers that have encouraged me to continue to educate the whole child in our classroom and I am thankful for that everyday.”

And so we begin talking about the arts in public schools, how important they are, and how helpful they are to the life of a child. Mr. Blanco is very passionate about a well-rounded education and stimulating both sides of the brain. “We do everything in schools today to educate students for tests in math, science and reading but we have no standard test for the arts. I think it is so key to use our everyday classroom time with these students to provide evaluation and feedback to nurture their growth as, in my case, a musician. We can look at the studies of neuro-science that show math and science involve one side of our brain and the arts; music, visual and other performing arts, involve the other side. This is education for the WHOLE brain and the WHOLE child,” he says of his educational ideals. It’s almost as if he read my mind, anticipating the next question and continuing on, “Negative aspects to supporting arts in pubic schools? Absolutely not…The arts are accountable for the fact that students involved in extra activities are almost ALWAYS more successful and more likely to graduate from high school than those who do not participate in other extra or co-curricular activities. The graduation rate of performing art students in our department at Las Cruces High School is 100% this year – over fifty seniors and 19 out of the top 25 students in their class.”

Impressive numbers, that is for certain. In a day and age where the “Me” Generation threatens to take down the public education system as we know it and drop out rates are at an all-time high, it is refreshing and uplifting to see active students so eager to participate in school activities and set high goals for themselves. When I asked Mr. Blanco what he wants to see for Las Cruces Public Schools in general, he says, “I hope that we do not have the change that the state is expecting. I hope that when the session begins in Santa Fe today we can do all we can to find other ways to save in funding rather than cutting education. We teach in a very knowledgeable district with great leadership. As a community member, come out and support local school events, or attend a school board meeting, find out how you can become involved. I know any arts program in the city would be happy to hear that volunteers are interested in helping their program.”

So, is more funding what the performing arts departments want? “Here is what everyone will say; give us more money. Here is what everyone knows, it is not going to happen,” Mr. Blanco says, his tone suddenly turning serious, his face focused. “Community support is a huge help! Not monetary, but coming to concerts and showing students that what they do is appreciated! I think that is the number one thing… We should do our part to get the message out and as we do continue to advertise our programs we encourage the public to come out and support. March 8-11 at the Onate Peforming Arts Center the Southwest District of NMMEA will be hosting their large group festivals. You can see groups from all across the southwest; band, choir, and orchestra.”

Hearing all of these things, like ‘we would love more community support,’ on top of all the political, economical, and social enclosures that teachers face, makes me wonder how a person could sacrifice so much of their time and energy to do such a difficult job. Just how much time does Mr. Blanco, along with all other LCPS high school band directors give? “Well, our band camp starts in July, and those are long days, usually ten to twelve hours. Football season and the fall is tough, since the days are long, we’re outside, and there’s a game pretty much every weekend, on top of competitions. But that’s what it is all about, school community, and giving these kids an experience! The days in the fall are typically ten to twelve hour days for me, and the spring lightens up a little. The days are more like eight to twelve hours, unless we have after school rehearsal, which…”

And you can see the idea. I think it is generally accepted, although not often widely noted, that teachers qualify as American heroes to an extent, sacrificing so much of their lives to hone young minds. When asked why he does it, Mr. Blanco says it well. “Imagine coming to work everyday and doing what you love to do? If you love to golf, imagine going to the course everyday and helping students get better, or playing with your best friends, and playing on the very best set of clubs out there; maybe Pings or TaylorMade? And at the end of the day you’ve done what you love, had a great time doing it and you know that tomorrow, you will do the same thing but better! That’s what we do, and it is what we LOVE TO DO!”

And there you have it; the Las Cruces Public Schools are full of excited, eager teachers, willing to go more than the extra mile and change the lives of their students. Mr. Blanco learned from the best: Dr. Greg Fant, Dr. Ken Van Winkle, and Dr. Fred Bugbee as well as Mr. Neil Swapp, who is now the mentor of Ms. Sarah Rede, assistant band director at Mayfield HS and good friend of Mr. Blanco’s (as he informs me). Mr. Blanco also works closely with Mr. Joseph Flores and Mr. Shawn Silva, band directors of Onate High School, to find like practices that work for all students. Click the links below to see the ways you can be involved in the LCPS performing arts.

To see the LCPS Performing and Visual Arts Calender, CLICK HERE

To see the Las Cruces High School Showcase Bands website, CLICK HERE

To see the Mayfield High School Trojan Band website, CLICK HERE

To see the Onate High School Royal Knight Regiment Band website, CLICK HERE

To see the NMSU Music Department Calendar, CLICK HERE

**************************

Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE