Ari Howorth
Staff Writer
Two directors are better than one. This year’s unusually large zero period concert band class of seventy two students has enlisted the expertise of Orchestra director, Peter Park to assist Concert Band Director Joel Carlson. Park has taught for a total of sixteen years, and this will be his third at Costa.
Park and Carlson now team-teach the class, which makes it possible for one teacher to walk around the class to help individuals, while the other conducts. Because he has been a percussionist from a young age, he is able to teach the percussionists more specifically than Carlson previously could.
“We come from such different places, so it’s great to have a different perspective in the room. Each person hears things differently,” Carlson said. “Being able to tag-team in such a large group like that has been.
Carlson felt the weight of almost a one hundred student class and knew that in order to give the students the best learning expirience possible, he needed help. Having integrated himself in in to the orchestra program through the combined band and orchestra he thought it only naturalto include Park in his department.
“I think having Mr. Park will help Concert Band a great deal, because another music teacher will allow the students to receive more attention. Also, focusing mainly on the percussion section, our band will grow in skill,” sophomore Avery Jett said.
Park has played violin since elementary school and didn’t become a percussionist until much later when he majored in percussion in an undergraduate school. He gained professional experience teaching percussion to other bands through previous teaching jobs. He has also taught trombone and marching band.
“I like to say that the violin was my first love and it’s something I will always continue. Helping the string students is my focus,” Park said. “The concert band has a large percussion section, so it’s nice to be able to work with them and all of their different sections.”
Park has recently had the idea of collaborating with the orchestra and the concert band, an opportunity that has not presented itself in the past. He and Mr. Carlson regularly bounce ideas off of each other, but they have never worked together at the same time before.
“I enjoy teaching the string students in orchestra and by working with the concert band I feel like I get the pleasure of getting to know a whole large group of students that I usually wouldn’t. So, the short answer being yes, I would if circumstances allow it,” Park said.
So far, Park has enjoyed the new experience. He enjoys teaching percussion, after such a long break from the art. He feels that having another teacher to focus on individuals is beneficial to the students. It is also helpful for the teachers, who normally would not get that experience.
“Mr. Park teaches us so many important techniques and drills that helps our concert band sound so fantastic,” Freshman Katherine An said. “He makes our morning bright and enjoyable with his hilariously funny jokes.”
Throughout this year, Park will continue to work with the concert band and attend their events. If the class remains as crowded as it is in future years, Park would be willing and enthusiastic to work with them. He is still directing orchestra, which remains his main focus.
“We can ducktail into both of our areas and so far it’s been a great experience,” Carlson said.
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