One flute, one clarinet donated

Lake Los Angeles – Challenger Middle School Band Room – Pictured is Mr. Music Man himself, Mr. Peter Ortega, Music Teacher, Challenger Middle School (CMS) and musical artist accepting the donation of a clarinet and a flute for his students and Shirley Harriman who vigorously supports the CMS band was chosen to deliver them.

The instruments were a welcome and generous gift from Angela Boone to the music program at Challenger. The flute is a Bundy brand which is an older brand and stronger better brand. The Clarinet is a Claritone brand, another excellent well-made instrument.

Mr. Ortega said of both, “These are sturdy instruments, good weight and very good tone.”

So much is happening with this band including working on CMS pep band music which is exciting and inspirationally motivating. The drum line is astounding! The band has enjoyed exceptional growth, far beyond normal. It has grown by leaps and bounds.

When Peter Ortega came to Challenger Middle School as music teacher and band leader, he was ready to rebuild the wonderful band that preceded him. Fall 2019 was a fresh beginning. Explaining why he came to CMS, Mr. Ortega said, “I was contemplating another tour with my musical performance career when it occurred to me, and I decided, ‘this was a good year to teach again’. When I first started to teach, it was in the Los Angeles area, and I was already burned out. Time to teach again.”

Students and their families can be assured it is going to be another great year filled with many exciting music making and fun activities. Challenger’s music program’s culture is one that is valued and vibrant. Students cannot seem to get enough of music at school.

In 2019 Thomas Prothro remarked about music at CMS saying, “My son attended CMS and VSG and started his life in music and playing the trumpet with Mr. Mac. Today he’s a graduate student at the University of Hartford in CT. Obviously not every student that picks up an instrument in middle school goes on to play professionally, but without these programs and exposure children in LLA may not get an opportunity to discover their passion and calling. I hope Mr. O. can provide that same spark and inspiration to grow the seed of music in a new generation of children in LLA.”

That hope has come true.

Photo by Chuck Tedeschi

By Shirley Harriman