Hello Parents:
Not every child is going to be a music major. Most will not. While we hope that the “John Williams of the next generation” is sitting in a music room somewhere, the vast majority of students see music as an avocation more than a vocation.
Your child may not practice regularly or have exceptional musical talent, and they may not see themselves as a future composer or performer. They may not envision holding their instrument ten or twenty years from now, but that does not mean music isn’t having a positive impact on them each and every day.
I know lots of successful music teachers that were less than successful in high school. In fact, I know lots of successful people in many professions that were “unsuccessful” in high school. Yes, a big part of success is learning to become successful, and that can be a slow and painstaking process.
Like you, I want your student to be successful. I want more for and from your child. I want their best.
My job is to help shepherd your child through this musical and personal rite of passage of high school. Along the way, I am treated to moments of sheer joy, genuine angst, and yes, sometimes frustration and even apathy. Through it all, I have to remember that with teenagers, their “adult selves” are still years in the making. They are still becoming their best selves.
I say this to remind you that making music is more than just creating sounds — it’s about finding oneself and charting one’s path.
Picture your child in five, ten, or fifteen years and ask yourself, “How will they surprise me?
Thank you for letting me be a part of their journey.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Philip Ruiz, PhD
Director of Bands
Instrumental Music Department
Diamond Ranch High School
Philip.Ruiz@PUSD.org
Not every child is going to be a music major. Most will not. While we hope that the “John Williams of the next generation” is sitting in a music room somewhere, the vast majority of students see music as an avocation more than a vocation.
Your child may not practice regularly or have exceptional musical talent, and they may not see themselves as a future composer or performer. They may not envision holding their instrument ten or twenty years from now, but that does not mean music isn’t having a positive impact on them each and every day.
I know lots of successful music teachers that were less than successful in high school. In fact, I know lots of successful people in many professions that were “unsuccessful” in high school. Yes, a big part of success is learning to become successful, and that can be a slow and painstaking process.
Like you, I want your student to be successful. I want more for and from your child. I want their best.
My job is to help shepherd your child through this musical and personal rite of passage of high school. Along the way, I am treated to moments of sheer joy, genuine angst, and yes, sometimes frustration and even apathy. Through it all, I have to remember that with teenagers, their “adult selves” are still years in the making. They are still becoming their best selves.
I say this to remind you that making music is more than just creating sounds — it’s about finding oneself and charting one’s path.
Picture your child in five, ten, or fifteen years and ask yourself, “How will they surprise me?
Thank you for letting me be a part of their journey.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Philip Ruiz, PhD
Director of Bands
Instrumental Music Department
Diamond Ranch High School
Philip.Ruiz@PUSD.org