"My name is Sal Panelli, I've been a band director in the Rosedale Union School District for 12 years.
It's real important for the students to have something to be excited about at school besides their core classes, it gives them an identity. Something like being in band or choir is important besides their regular core subjects.
We always start from the same place when we have new music. They all work together and by the time we do a performance it's pretty amazing what they can accomplish.
Band is like a sports team, but there's no bench, everyone has to participate.
The main reason I like being a band director is the opportunity throughout the year to constantly, basically start from scratch, work towards a performance, and then do it all over again."