Telegraph Staff Writer
David Ramos fondly remembers an opportunity given him by a band director.
Now, Ramos hopes he can create lifelong memories for others as the new band director at Bradford High School.
First, though, it’s still a time of adjusting to the Florida State University graduate’s first-ever job leading a school’s band program.
“I’ve been here since July now. Our first week was technically band camp,” Ramos said. “Since then, it has definitely been exciting, but not without its challenges, obviously, as a new director and just someone who’s entirely new to the field.”
A number of things led to Ramos’ pursuit of music. He began playing piano at the age of 6 and joined band as a middle-school student at Miami’s K-12 Florida Christian School.
One incident, though, stands out in his mind. Ramos, while in middle school, was watching high school students rehearsing for a presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” musical.
“I so wanted to play in that pit band,” he said. “It looked like they were having a heck of a time.”
During one rehearsal, the band director noticed Ramos observing from the back of the building. She asked him where his saxophone was and then told him to go get it and join the high-school band members.
The director, after the rehearsal, asked Ramos if he wanted a spot in the band for the performance. His answer was, “Absolutely.”
“It’s moments like that I strive to give to my students,” Ramos said.
Bradford students are already receiving special opportunities. For example, some Bradford Middle School students are in the BHS marching band.
“I didn’t even have a marching band in high school, so I think it’s phenomenal that they get these experiences and get them as early as possible,” Ramos said.
Ramos actually has already been a part of creating special experiences for youth, going back to his time as an FSU student. He earned a certificate in one of the school’s specialized-studies program — Special Music Education. That had him using music to reach youth with various disabilities. He spent some time working with a performance ensemble at Leon High School before COVID-19 shut things down.
It was an experience Ramos believe will benefit him moving forward in his career. The question he asked himself in regard to working with students with disabilities really applies to all students: “How can we be as musical as possible, have fun and give these students an experience they’ll take home with them and enjoy for the rest of their lives?”
Creating a culture and making music
When asked about his goals for the BHS band program, Ramos said one of the main ones is establishing a culture. That culture includes a band program where students feel comfortable and safe and where they learn to be respectful of others.
“We have a sign out there that explains what it means to be a good human,” Ramos said. “That was there before I even got here. It’s just something I need to remind myself, too. I’ve got to hold myself accountable. I’ve got to hold our students accountable. What does it mean to be not only a good student and a good musician, but to be just an overall good person?”
Ramos’ desired culture also consists of professionalism, encouraging students to be on time, be prepared and know what’s going on.
Knowing what’s going on is something he’s working on, Ramos admitted, saying, “There are new things that pop up day to day.”
It all comes with a first-time band director settling into the job. He admitted that homecoming week was “intense,” while preparing for the marching band music-performance assessment consisted of a “learning curve,” based upon the fact the students were learning “challenging” music as part of their performance based on the 1998 movie “The Mask of Zorro.”
The students rose to the challenge, earning Overall Excellence at the MPA.
“It’s really impressive to see what these kids can do when the moment has arrived. You don’t think about that when you’re in the trenches rehearsing 4:30 to 7 every Tuesday and Thursday,” Ramos said, adding, “When it comes together, that’s nice to see.”
A transition from one band director to another isn’t easy for students, Ramos said, adding that it’s important to be enthusiastic in getting the most out of the students. It’s creating the idea that “regardless of who’s on the podium, we’re going to make great music, and we’re going to do our best to be as good of a band as we possibly can,” he said.
Ramos may be a new director, but he’s not lacking a support system. He said parents — especially those who manned the band’s concessions stand at football games — have been “wonderful” and have been “helping me put out metaphorical fires throughout the semester.”
Just as impressive has been the support from school administrators.
“I was told there was very good administration here. Now, I’ve seen that firsthand,” Ramos said, adding, “They’ve been very earnest in saying, ‘Yes, we do that,’ or, ‘That can’t happen, but let’s try to work through what you need.’”
Through band, Ramos hopes students become lifelong lovers of music. Maybe a student will go on to earn a degree in music. Or maybe he or she will just be ready to take out that instrument and represent BHS once again, as was the case when alumni had the chance to play at one of the home football games.
Watching the alumni play reminded Ramos how important the role of band director is. If band wasn’t a positive experience for a student, how likely will he or she as an adult dust off that instrument and play for their alma mater once again?
“They remember from those years how much they enjoyed it,” Ramos said.
Just like Ramos remembers how much he enjoyed it when that high school band director gave him a special opportunity as a middle school student.
