The band, started by individuals like Rick Guptill, a Booksin Elementary School parent, was created in 2002. At that time the band was an exclusively parent-supported program. Wanting to expand the program to include students at several local elementary schools, Guptill and other parents helped start a larger band in August 2004. Now the band is composed of about 50 students from four elementary schools--Schallenberger, Galarza, Willow Glen Elementary, and Booksin.

"Serious music has fallen out of the elementary school curriculum," Booksin parent representative Jeff Jones said. "I think that's sad, and I wanted to help bring it back. Our best chance to do it was as an after-school program. The kids have a renewed chance to have a musical education beyond choir or private lessons, and it's important for them to have a group musical experience."

Each week, fourth- and fifth-grade students meet at Willow Glen Middle School to practice with other musicians. Led by director Scott Barnhill, the band includes four different instrument sections: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet and trombone. Students who develop their musical ability quickly, or who have prior playing experience, can move on to the advanced band where students play as an ensemble. In February the program will expand to include third-grade students.

Because the band is not funded through the San Jose Unified School District, students pay $200 a semester to play in the band. Part of their tuition pays for Barnhill's salary.

"It's expensive, but it is more cost-effective than private lessons," Booksin parent Catherine Edwards said.

Scholarships are available for students who cannot afford to pay tuition. Parents say all the proceeds from fundraising support scholarships.

"At our school, we have a large low-income community, with kids who wouldn't have access to music education otherwise," Galarza representative Katherine Doar said. "We want to have as much access to the program for as many people as possible."

The Willow Glen Elementary School Tree Lighting ceremony featured the advanced band's inaugural performance. Students also raised $900 to support the scholarship program.

But parents insist that a passion for music and performing isn't the only benefit students can derive from the program.

"You have got 50 kids going into middle school next year," Willow Glen Elementary School representative Alexandra Hoppe said. "It will be nice for them to see kids they know, and have a peer group that will be in place when they get there."

When the children reach middle school, parents say, their prior experience playing with the youth band will help them advance even further musically.

"The youth band will be a good feeder program for the bands in middle and high school," Schallenberger representative and Willow Glen Middle and High School Music Boosters president Linda Eaman said. "It gives kids who are interested in music a leg up, and brings energy and excitement to the music programs."

Parents say their long-term goal is to expand the program even further. Their dream is to initiate a Willow Glen Community Band that will be made up of music-lovers of all ages and abilities.

For more information about joining the Willow Glen Community Youth Band or to make a donation, email Rick Guptill at rguptill@ieee.org.