LIHUE – Teacher Sarah Tochiki doesn’t have one biological child. Instead, she feels the love for more than 220 children, all of whom make a lot of noise.
On purpose.
Each student has been carefully measured and analyzed to fit perfectly into one of her three bands, all elective classes that continue to grow with each passing year since she became the teacher and band director at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School six years ago.
As the band students rehearsed recently, Tochiki’s room was decorated with posters of famous quotes from various musicians including Bono, who said, “Music can change the world because it can change people.”
That is the philosophy of Tochiki. Her enthusiasm has led to an unprecedented growth in the middle school’s music program.
“I get to start them from scratch,” Tochiki said. “I get to mold them.”
Tochiki joined her own school band 17 years ago while growing up on Oahu. It was a life-changing experience — one she still passes on today.
“At first, I was terrified of marching and playing an instrument at the same time,” Tochiki said. “It seemed impossible.”
But through hard work and dedication, anything is achievable.
One of her students, seventh-grade snare drum player Benzelle Bersamira, felt the same way when he marched with the band in the Lights on Rice Street holiday parade.
“It’s hard to multi-task and march and play at the same time,” Benzelle said.
But the band experience isn’t only about learning how to read music and play on key to the beat.
“Its about leadership,” Tochiki said.
She remembered how her teacher always expected her to be the best and presented her with challenges that seemed unattainable.
“I also push my students to be better than they are,” Tochiki said.
Like for Sage Doi, who improved in all of his school subjects once he joined the team.
“Band is an understated program,” said Doi, a third-year drummer. “When I began to play music, my grades improved immensely. I became more focused. I went from a 2.5 GPA to a 3.7.”
It was Tochiki’s approach that won her students 109 medals in February during the Hawaii State Band Solo and Ensemble Festival, an event judged by professional musicians.
“Students are judged against the standard of what good music is,” Tochiki said.
Her band’s music won them the privileged honor to perform at Disneyland’s California Adventure Theme Park in March.
“Less than half the bands that apply get accepted,” Tochiki explained. “There was a big crowd listening. We had a blast. It’s so awesome to watch the students develop into adults and see them make the right choices.”
But before any of that development can begin, each student tries out every type of mouthpiece to see how well the selected instrument will fit the student.
“We also look at their personalities,” Tochiki said. “For instance, if a student is shy we select something that is not so in your face to play. Choosing an instrument is one of the most important decisions of their middle school careers. It’s not taken lightly.”
Tochiki said when she is conducting each of her three bands, she can hear exactly what each student is playing.
“One kid playing the wrong note can throw off the group,” Tochiki said. “Every kid needs to be at the same point in the music at the same time.”
The band director’s passion for and from her students is apparent by the frequent visits after school, lunch and recess, when they aren’t even required to be there.
“Sometimes I even have to tell them to go home,” Tochiki said with a laugh.
She knows their desire to stay and play is the ultimate compliment.
“I want them to feel like this is their home away from home,” the band leader said.
At 7 p.m. May 14, the three bands will perform in the free 14th annual Spring Concert at The Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Last year, there was standing room only.
“Do I get nervous? Yes,” Tochiki said about conducting the students. “It’s not about me. It’s about making sure they play the best they can play. If I cue them at the wrong point, it can thrown them off completely and affect their performance.”
Tochiki said that if she hadn’t played the trumpet as a child, she wouldn’t have landed on the same life path.
“Band was a place I belonged,” Tochiki said. “I wouldn’t have been the same person if I hadn’t been in the band.”
Strong ethics, communication with others and critical thinking are the ethics she sees developing in her students today. Students have other choices besides selecting band as a subject to concentrate on, such as physical education, choir, media, art and robotics.
“I like band because it teaches me how to work together with other musicians,” said Allan Bueno, an alto saxophone player. “It has also taught me self-respect and respect for others.”
“It helps me calm down from a stressful day,” said seventh-grade euphonium player Lionel Kato. “Plus, it will help me achieve my dream. I want to play the music for the next Star Wars movie.”
But behind every note, every song, there’s Tochiki’s message that resonates loudest of all.
“Try your best,” said third-year trumpet player Josiah Costales. “That’s the main thing.”
