The Day The Music Died: Jazz Program at Washington Middle School in Peril
Reporting by Cesar Canizales
A beloved jazz band teacher in one of the most highly valued music programs in Seattle is about to lose his job because of a budget shortfall at Seattle Public Schools. The community – students and parents alike – has rallied to save the program.
Jonah Perry pleaded with the SPS board at its last meeting to keep Mike Sundt, the teacher who will be cut.
“Mr. Sundt is a very good schoolteacher. I understand you don’t have enough money to keep a teacher like him,” said Jonah Perry, a student at WMS.
Tejal Armes, a fifth grader who is going to WMS next year, says she was looking forward to studying under Sundt.
“I feel there’s only one teacher I won’t have a chance to have as a sixth grader. I’m mad and sad about it. I hope you can do something about it,” Armes said.
Parker Collins, another WMS student voiced the importance of the program.
“Please don’t make this drastic cut to this music program. Kids like me will never discover these things if band isn’t able to be offered to all who want to take it. You would truly be taking away the best thing about my school,” Collins said.
A student named Omar called the cuts unfair.
“Mr. Sundt is one of my favorite teachers. Actually, he is my favorite teacher. I don’t think it would be fair to make these budget cuts.”
Students and parents packed the last school board meeting asking the district to rethink the cuts, which would affect the legendary, award-winning music program in the heart of the city’s Central District, home to historic musical figures.
“Our jazz band has a long history. It has taught people like Quincy Jones,” said Nora Ignacio a WMS student.
Mike Sundt has been at the school for four years. He was informed last month that his position at the school would be cut due to the school district’s $131-million budget deficit for next school year.
He says the issue is not about him—it’s about the students.
“This is about a music program that serves a substantial role in the community of that school, not having the support that it needs to function as it should,” said Sundt. “The important thing is that we have so many kids who will want to continue doing music and with the way things are going to look like, we won't be able to support those kids in the way that I and other music teachers know is best practice.”
The music program at Washington Middle School is the main feeder program for Garfield High School.
Jo Chick and Miranda Reskusich-White are studying jazz under Sundt’s direction.
Chick says the program has had a very positive, life-changing effect.
“As somebody who's kind of struggled significantly with mental health through the years, I think that the program and the community created by it has honestly kind of turned my life upside down,” said Chick, a sixth grader at WMS. “Just like, like, just knowing I can wake up every day and have this great space to come in to and just learn music and hang out with my friends. It’s just the best feeling ever.”
“Honestly, I didn't really think of music as all that interesting before I had Mr. Sundt as a teacher, and once I did have him as a teacher, I started actually exploring what different kinds of music could sound like, and it was just amazing. Just really my worldview expanded a lot from that point,” said Reskusich-White, a seventh grader at WMS.
Gayatri Armes is a ninth grader at Garfield and plays with the band there. She also studied under Sundt, who influenced her music path.
“I think he's the biggest reason for why I'm playing jazz - like he's the only reason. I was never really dedicated to band. I didn't actually have that much of an interest in band until Mr. Sundt was my teacher,” said Armes.
Parents defended the program at the board meeting and stressed its equity aspect.
“For next year, the TAF program is gone. Eight staff people and the jazz program in the middle of the Central District, where jazz is at the roots of the history there. And you don't understand Mr. Sundt has been doing. They have been moving the dial on equity here,” said Sharon Khosla, who has a student who went to WMS, and one who is going there next year.
Seattle Public Schools, in a statement from assistant superintendent Bev Redmond, says that while the budget cuts are not yet final, one arts educator will be displaced at WMS.
“Budget adjustments are incredibly difficult. However, the commitment to our excellent music programs is unwavering. High-quality music instruction remains a priority and will continue at WMS,” read part of the statement.
Saire Williams, a seventh grader, has been playing music since he was five. His friends call him a prodigy, a talented straight-A student who will feel the loss of his music instructor.
“I’ll be sad really. He’s a really good teacher, but that means we have to play as much as we can now and play our butts off on these competitions we’re going on now,” said Williams.
Chick says they want to continue their music education in the future because the program has really impacted them.
“It's just a huge part of my life, and, like, it's not something that I've ever experienced before. Like just the amount of passion and joy I feel like from it and for it. I think that it's like not something you can let go of very easily,” said chick.
Miranda did not mince any words about how she feels about the cuts.
“I honestly feel pretty angry because I've already lost some of my favorite teachers this year due to budget cuts and other things, and they would be getting rid of the best class in the school, whereas other schools get to keep good things. And it just doesn't seem at all fair,” said Reskusich-White.
You can follow the efforts to change the district’s decision on Instagram @save_wms_music
