STEVEN BARNHILL – THE END OF AN ERA IN EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Hours after his last performance at the California Music Education Association (CMEA) Festival as Music Director at Evergreen Valley High School, I sat down with Steven Barnhill to chat. The topic, of course, was his journey through a 35-year career as a music teacher in East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD).
A San Jose native, Steve “stumbled into” music, after a childhood friend urged him to go with him to see their school’s music teacher, Bill Nicolosi, at San Antonio Middle School. Nicolosi assisted him in getting his first trombone and continued to be a guiding force in the early years of Steve’s career. While at San Jose State, his focus was on music performance, but various teaching opportunities came his way – teaching trombones at a program through Alum Rock District Jazz Band, teaching summer school, running rehearsals, and teaching stints at Silver Creek and Monte Vista high schools.
After graduating from San Jose State in 1984, Steve arrived at W.C. Overfelt High School in ESUHSD, to develop a band program for the school. He described that first year as really starting from scratch with only 25 kids in the band. “We didn’t have uniforms so I arranged to get extra practice jerseys from the football coach. The band students sat in the stands at football games in their jerseys and played. They didn’t sound great, but they learned to sit properly with their instruments and carry themselves as if they were the sharpest, best-sounding band around.” The second year was difficult in an entirely different way: “I wanted them to go faster and they just weren’t ready for that yet, so I pulled back a bit in year 3, still challenging, but at a slower pace. That year, we did introduce drill that had been written for the band.” The Overfelt marching band achieved their first win at a competition in 1988, earning 1st place for high drums. “From football jerseys, to getting uniforms, to learning drill, to a first place performance within four years. By 1989, we were a force to be reckoned with and it became cool to be in the band.” After a stellar, twenty-two year run at Overfelt, Steve joined the teaching staff as Music Director at Evergreen Valley High School (EVHS) in 2006.
EVHS opened in 2002 and the first graduating class was 2005. The instrumental music program was in a state of transition when Steve arrived; he would become the 3rd band director in the school’s short history. He was greeted by a group of well-meaning and supportive parents, the Band Boosters, who had ideas about the direction the music program – especially marching band — should take. While he was excited to have the parent support, Steve acknowledges that it was a little tense in the beginning, as he had to work with the Boosters to establish some boundaries. In a short period of time, there was a cadre of parents who showed up to offer their support in so many ways – measuring students for uniforms, making alterations, preparing meals on competition days, driving trucks to competitions, and more. Perhaps the biggest gift of having a strong, supportive Booster organization was that they supported Steve’s vision of what the music program could be. The Boosters obtained their 501c(3) tax-exempt status so that they could fundraise to further support the program’s activities. Steve always made it a priority to personally and publicly acknowledge the support from the Band Boosters, many of whom continue in roles long after their children graduate from EVHS!
Meanwhile, Steve recalls the first EVHS marching band competition at Gilroy High School. He had been “out of the marching band game” for about 11 years but left that performance feeling “Yes! I can do this!” From that point through the most recent marching band season, EVHS has won numerous awards for outstanding performances at competitions throughout Northern California; a multitude of trophies are proudly displayed in the band room.
And then there was the trip to Carnegie Hall in 2008 – the first of 4 – only 2 years into Steve’s tenure at EVHS. The Boosters were on board, the parents were excited and the 55 students in the Wind Ensemble who boarded planes headed to NYC knew this opportunity was a big deal. The first stop was at the amphitheater in Central Park, on a cool, drizzly morning. “They sounded so good. The next thing I knew, I was walking down the steps into the audience to take it all in. It was an incredible experience.” Conducting in Carnegie Hall was the pinnacle of Steve’s career and to accomplish that four times in a 13 year span is a dream-come-true for most conductors, let alone for a high school music director! Steve recalled a magical moment during the sound check for the 2018 Carnegie performance. “There was this intensity while we performed the selection – I’d describe it as ‘ferocious’. The students were surprised by what they created at that moment on the ‘stage of all stages’. It was special…” A student was able to record the last few seconds of that sound check performance and created a replica etching of the actual soundwave from that recording snippet which was presented to Steve last year. It is truly one of his cherished possessions, and his eyes watered just talking about it.
I asked Steve what he enjoys about conducting and he responded: “It’s something I get to do directly with the students. I get to perform with the kids and share the excellence with them. We get to share, react and get direct feedback – it’s like having a deep conversation with the students.” If you’ve ever attended a concert at EVHS, you can witness and feel the interaction he describes. So why retire now? “I have no more hills to climb. I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall four times, started a string ensemble and orchestra here at EVHS that has tripled in size since its inception, and had the pleasure of being around and working with so many great kids and parents. I don’t have any regrets about my career – I believe that everything in life is an opportunity to learn and there are no opportunities that came my way that I turned down.” “But honestly, the strain on my shoulders and back from all of the years I’ve been conducting is a big factor in my decision to retire at this time.”
“Excellence in All Things” is the motto that sets the tone for expectations throughout the instrumental music program at EVHS. Steve sincerely enjoys working with students, so I asked him about the impact he has had (and wants to have) on young people – beyond music. “I tried to give them what I didn’t have. I find students to be interesting people and I genuinely enjoy their company because they are fun to be around. I get to watch them on the cusp of adulthood – that last part of their innocence. I try to help them make decisions that will affect their lives. I get them to produce at a high quality and create stellar moments of musicality that they won’t experience in other places…” Steve also mentioned that it brings him great joy to connect with former students and see them as successful people with great work ethic, good values, and engaging personalities, especially those students who participated in the program all 4 years.
Never far from his side is Steve’s wonderful wife, Erl, the ultimate “band mom” to the 200+ students in the program each year. “She is completely a parent and provides insight. I could put myself in the student position but not the parent so Erl is my test-bed for parent understanding so that I am more prepared to provide parents with the dialogue that’s needed. She’s also been a great mentor to the young women in the program which she enjoys. Plus she gets to see me do something I’m good at!”
As for his legacy, Steve hopes that the standard of expectations for excellence remains high and that students remember that they can do more than they think they can. After a bit of rest and relaxation, Steve’s plan is to do something near and dear to his heart: mentor other musicians and music teachers. Steve will conduct his Farewell Concert on Tuesday, May 21st, at the California Theater in Downtown San Jose and retire at the end of the academic year on May 30th.
Thank you Steve Barnhill for 35 years of exceptional service to ESUHSD, and for a positive and lasting impact on the young lives you’ve touched. You are a gift and we salute you on your retirement. Best wishes for your next phase!
