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Melding interacting cultures is music to Curran educator’s ears

In his 30th year as a teacher, Richard Rodriguez, 52, is a crusader for his music students, and music in general, at Curran Middle School.

He is the music director for the Curran Crusader Orchestra and the Crusader Band. Rodriguez is also in charge of the Crusader Mariachi and Steel Drum bands, two music projects that are the result of the Rodriguez’ passion for teaching eclectic styles of music.

“I draw on works from ethnomusicologists, their teaching and what they know and bring that expertise to the students. Understanding interacting cultures of music helps teachers do a better job connecting music with the community,” Rodriguez said.

A Bakersfield native, Rodriguez graduated from South High School and then attended USC, where he earned his music degree in saxophone performance under acclaimed classical saxophonist Harvey Pittel, then a professor at USC.

Rodriguez organizes multicultural music sessions for the California Music Education Association’s annual state conference, and in 2004 he was named Outstanding Multicultural Educator of the Year.

 When not teaching, Rodriguez finds time to hike and camp, as well as fill in for the occasion gig when a sax player is needed around town.

“I played background for The Temptations when they came to Bakersfield,” said Rodriguez.

His personal music inspirations range from Miles Davis to a current trend of remixing older artists, such as the 2006 will.i.am and Sergio Mendes mash-up album “Timeless.”

“Just like language, music isn’t something that is stationary. It’s always moving,” said Rodriguez “I listen to any kind of music that is a fusion between traditional and new styles. I like it when artists do something new.”

MÁS recently met with Rodriguez and asked him a few question regarding his role as a music educator:

Q: Have you noticed any drop-off in students’ interest of music?

A: I’m not seeing a drop-off in students who are interested in music — there is still always a certain number of students who want to learn music. Any sort of drop-off in students who take music classes is directly connected to students who have not received good testing scores in math or English. These students have to take double or triple math or English classes, which take the place of not only music — if they are interested in it — but also classes like history are suffering because students can’t take them if they don’t have high enough test scores.

Q: Why is it important for a student to learn music?

A: Well, it’s similar to the advantages of studying your own culture. It teaches different ways of expression and provides a better understanding of who you are and the people around you. It creates a more positive self perception.
Studies have shown that students like to come to school more when they study music. It makes them a well-rounded person.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing students today?

A: The media has it in these kids’ brains that the most important thing is for them to be famous or have lots of money. They are not focusing on who they are first. The media has projected a sense that being well-known or famous is the most important thing to strive for. In education, it’s hard for us to get across to students that it’s important for them to know who they are first and not worry about being famous, in movies or making lots of money.

Q: Who has been an inspiration to you, musically and academically?

A: Dan Sheehy, who is an ethnomusicologist and works at the Smithsonian Institute of the Arts. He is in charge of the folk music at the Smithsonian and archives the cultural history of world music.
I have known him a long time. I went to South High with his brothers. I see him every year at the Fresno Mariachi Festival. He is a real advocate for cultural, traditional or any type of music that is unknown or not mainstream.

Q: What do students need to do achieve academically?

A: They need to have a role model somewhere. There are a bunch of good parents out there, but the family life of students seems to be getting more and more hectic and kids are having to look out for themselves. They have nobody to be their advocate and show them the way.