Ceres Unified School Band Day was staged on Sept. 27 at Ceres High when music students in grades 6-12 played together during the Central Valley-Atwater varsity football game.

“It’s nice to see our students put what they learned into practice,” commented CUSD Communications Specialist Beth Jimenez.

Sharon Carter, coordinator of Assessments and Accountability for CUSD, said the event is held every fall.

“The program was designed to promote music. We want kids to start in elementary and stay involved through high school.”

More than 300 students performed during Friday’s halftime show and attend Central Valley, Ceres High, Mae Hensley Jr. High, Blaker-Kinser Jr. High, Cesar Chavez Jr. High, Adkison Elementary, Carroll Fowler Elementary, Caswell Elementary, Don Pedro Elementary, Hidahl Elementary, La Rosa Elementary, Lucas Elementary, Patrcia Kay Beaver Elementary, Sam Vaughn Elementary, Sinclear Elementary, Virginia Parks Elementary, Walter White Elementary and Westport Elementary.

Central Valley’s Booster Club provided a hot-dog dinner to each participant before the game. 

 “Our elementary students just got their instruments at the beginning of September,” Carter said. “They’ve been practicing twice a week in school and at home every night.”

Singsational and Bandtastic, Ceres Unified’s two other music events, will be held on Nov. 19 and April 7, respectively.

“We value music and arts education in this district,” Carter said. “It’s something we’re proud of.”

“Music has remained important in this district even in challenging budget times,” Jimenez added.