Preston Bailey: and the band played on

Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination, and life to everything

- Plato

Certainly an unarguable philosophical sentiment, but who takes on the awesome task of introducing the next generation to the intricacies and joys of music? Who will give our children the tools to truly appreciate music as they walk down the highway of life? In our society, that task falls to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to teaching music in the classrooms of our public and private schools.

One such brave soul, here in Petaluma, is Preston Bailey. Mr. B, or “Conductor Dude” as his students call him, has been putting young musicians through their paces at Petaluma Junior High for the last 15 years. Sadly, this past 2014-15 school-year will be his last, as he’s officially retiring. I arranged to meet with him last week in the school’s heavily-trafficked band room. He took a break from packing and organizing and we sat down amidst mountains of sheet music, memorabilia, music stands and stacked instrument cases. I wanted to find out, first hand, his thoughts after lasting so long in one of academia’s toughest tests of daily stamina, patience and dedication.

SB: Who was your first inspiration to become a music teacher?

PB: “It was my high school band director, Major Al Polhamus, down in Carlsbad, Calif. It just seemed to me that he was having more fun than anyone else in the room. I was in my late 30s when I became a music teacher, but I’ve always thought I shared his gift for breaking things down to a young player.”

SB: What’s one thing you hope your students gain, and eventually take away, from their time with you?

PB: “I would hope it would be the depth and value of music. Beyond continuing to play, I’d hope they continue to appreciate music and its importance in our lives. I’ve seen students who were just ‘getting by’ and not particularly inspired, and suddenly they catch fire and start seriously practicing their instruments. At that point, they are not only engaged, they are invested. And that success follows them to their other classes, and throughout their academic career. Many times I feel that music is just the vehicle and the real subject is life.”

SB: What do you hope will happen for the music program, here at PJH, in life after Mr. B.?

PB: “I hope it builds and thrives. It all hinges on organization. It would be great to have someone added to the equation to take on some of the logistic and paper-chase responsibility, thereby allowing the band director the time to concentrate on the music itself.”

SB: Not many junior high school band directors across the nation would ever even consider giving students a say in selecting the music they perform in concert. Not many 12 year olds will get to play the national anthem in front of 40,000 screaming baseball fans. Providing experiences like this has become expected of you in your time here, so certainly your style could be labeled ‘unorthodox.’ But, what particular personality trait do you think has allowed you to succeed as a teacher?

PB: “I have empathy for what these kids are going through. I remember being an eighth-grader. At that age they’re going through rapid-fire psychological and physical changes as they work to invent themselves. They need understanding from a non-familial source. Teaching is about relationships. It’s about the kids knowing that you care about them. It takes being able to separate the student from their behavior. Plus, the student needs to know that the teacher is there for them, no matter what.”

So, as the literal and virtual baton is being passed to the next band director, Petaluma parents can only hope that he or she is half as dedicated as Preston Bailey, and produces half the results. His legacy as a forward-thinking music educator will cast a long shadow for many years to come. Thanks Mr. B.

(Sheldon Bermont is a longtime Petaluma musician. He can be reached by email at smb@sbermont writer.com)