Friday, June 19, 2008

Retiring VUSD music teacher leaving on a high note

By Daniel Ely - For the North County Times

Longtime teacher Frank Baker retires from Washington Middle School in Vista. (Photo by Waldo Nilo - Staff Photographer)

VISTA ---- Washington Middle School's music appreciation, band, and choir teacher Frank Baker retired last week after 38 years of inspiring children, even those with little money, to appreciate music.

Baker began teaching high school in 1970 before switching to teaching middle school in 1972.

"You really have to be married to it to be successful," he said of working as a high school band leader, "and my family always came first. Between my kids at school and my family at home, that's what I live for, what makes the rest of it worthwhile ... Working with middle school kids, their minds are so active, anything can happen. Plus, it keeps you young. It keeps you a kid yourself."

Baker's own career with music began with the euphonium ---- an instrument in the tuba family ---- in his own junior high marching band.

"I wanted to play the trombone, but they said 'kid, your arms are too short.'"

According to Baker, he took to his instrument. His parents even pooled their resources to buy him a new euphonium of his very own, quite an investment, which Baker says inspired him to practice even harder.

The lessons were not lost on the teacher-to-be. Baker estimates that he's raised more than $500,000 over the years, using that money to help students who couldn't otherwise afford to participate.

"They need it," he said. "They don't have the advantages that kids in higher socioeconomic areas have.

"If you don't present it to them, they're not going to get it anywhere else," he said. "Seventy-five percent of our school is on the free or reduced lunch programs. Most of our kids can't afford instruments."

The money from fundraisers was used for the usual band costs ---- music arrangements, instruments, repairs and tutors, but also for special musical experiences for his students, like trips to see shows like "Fiddler on the Roof" or "Les Miserables."

Baker said that one parent he remembers made no secret of his belief that spending $200 for a trip to see "Phantom of the Opera" with his daughter was a waste. But at the show, the students and parents alike sat transfixed by the spectacle.

"They didn't want to leave," said Baker, "if it would have started again they would have stayed and watched it again."

Afterward, on the way home, the initially skeptical parent tearfully thanked Baker for the experience.

"I don't think schools today do a good job of offering experiences like that for kids," said Baker, "It's usually just about money."

Of course, when trying to outfit a music class, a marching band, and a choir, money will always be an issue.

"We've never had a lot of funding for the arts ---- they pay my salary and that's about it," said Baker, quickly adding that the school recently paid for the purchase of a new bass drum and euphonium for the first time in 15 years.

Recent troubles, according to Baker, stem from Washington Middle School being considered an underperforming school according to the No Child Left Behind program. They are therefore supposed to focus on fundamentals and not extracurricular activities and electives such as music education, and a grant for the arts expected to help was frozen in the wake of the state's budget crisis.

"Every three to five years there's a new trend," Baker said. "Now it's No Child Left Behind, before it was year-round schools, restructuring, or outcome-based education. Things constantly change, but children never change much."

"Sometimes you can learn just as much through a different avenue," said Baker, explaining that he's seen troubled students learn dedication and focus by learning to play an instrument, and having fun while doing it.

"That's what it's all about," Baker said, "letting kids be successful and have some fun at the same time."

Baker says he's left a legacy from 38 years of teaching ---- several of his former students are now his colleagues, or teachers at other schools. His three sons are all involved in education. Many of his former students gathered as a tribute to their former teacher at his last concert on May 28.

"It's fun to see the kids grow up. Even if music isn't their profession, it means a lot to them. Wherever you go or whatever you do, you can't get away from music," he said. "I have mixed feelings about leaving, but I'm looking forward to the next thing ... and I'm going to try to stay involved."