First Sousa Award at OPMS

The first Sousa Award for outstanding leadership and musicianship at Olive Pierce Middle School (OPMS) was awarded to Julian Garrido, an 8th grade clarinet player, in early June 2013. Garrido has been an active member in the Ramona Unified School District band program for the last five years and will be entering high school to participate in the award-winning Ramona High School Royal Regiment band this September.

Garrido began playing clarinet in grade school and distinguished himself early as a leader and outstanding musician. Always prepared and working beyond expectations, he showed potential from his first day in band. He is also an outstanding student academically earning high grades and many certificates. In addition to mastering the soprano clarinet, he has learned to play the bass clarinet and alto saxophone. Garrido also participated in the OPMS Jazz Band where he provided exciting and interesting improvised solos. Lampe stated, “Julian was often called upon to play difficult passages and solos on the spot. He consistently performed in a professional manner, showed maturity and musicality far beyond his age.”

During this past school year, Garrido led the Advanced Band in preparation for Southern California School Band and Orchestra Festivals. He helped the rehearsals coordination outside of class and took charge during class practice. According to band director Karl Lampe, “Julian was able to stand in front of his peers and successfully conduct the band, but more importantly he was able to identify areas that were done exceptionally well, correct items that needed fixing and teach the band how to produce a better sound through his ability to have the concept of what the music should sound like.” Through his efforts and help, the Advanced Band earned excellent ratings at Festivals in Oceanside, Temecula and Ramona.

Outside of the music activities, Garrido served as vice president in the Band Council which steered the band to successful community events. These include two projects to beautify the OPMS campus, and fund raising to support the band students on trips to universities, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.

Lampe added, “Julian exemplifies the well-rounded musician and scholar that this award recognizes. It has been exciting to see Julian’s growth over the past five years and I am so happy that his accomplishments have been recognized.”