'Any day not spent learning is a day wasted'

Jarod Sorum, new band director for Carson High School, comes from a musical family. He is the middle of three children whose parents started dating while at Oregon State University. They knew each other in high school but reconnected while they were in the band program together in college.

Sorum, 25, graduated from Boise State University in May with a bachelor's degree in music education. He started giving music lessons while in high school. This is when he first realized teaching would be his chosen career path.

This is his first full-time teaching position.

"Learning is definitely the center of my beliefs and passions," he said. "I've said many times before, any day not spent learning is a day wasted."

While much of Sorum's emphasis musically has been on classical and jazz styles, he used to be in a garage band when he was in high school. "Los Mad" focused on ska and its members didn't play exclusively in garages.

"We did a lot of performances in clubs and fairs," he said. "It was cool."

CHS has a marching band, concert band, jazz band and wind ensemble. He will serve as advisor to all of these groups. He has no favorite genre when it comes to helping students play their best. What he likes most is what playing in a group can teach them.

A band is "kind of a society we have to create in order to function," he said. "I want them to come away with a greater appreciation and knowledge of emotional expression within a communal setting."

Sorum took his first music lesson in sixth grade. Trumpet is his primary instrument but he can play any brass, percussion, clarinet, guitar and piano. He has also "dabbled with" the accordion and harmonica.

"Music is a highly integral subject. It's very math based, very physics based," he said. "We learn good people skills, communication skills, and expressions skills, as well as tapping into a lot of academics."

Originally from Redmond, Ore., he is single. He hopes his new home will provide him with ample and appropriate winter weather for his favorite hobby: Snowboarding. He also enjoys hiking and backpacking.

"Redmond gets more snow than Boise," he said. "Redmond, Boise, Carson ... they are all high deserts."

Sorum replaces previous band director, Felicia Wirgau.

First ever Nevada Day Battle of the Bands

Carson City will host the first ever Nevada Day Battle of the Bands - USSBA Reno/Tahoe Marching Band Competition this fall.

Gov. Jim Gibbons urges each and every high school marching band in Nevada to join in the celebration.

To revitalize the Nevada Day celebration, the governor has worked with Nevada Day Inc. officials to create a new high school marching band competition, adding a traditional field band competition to the parade Oct. 27.

Gov. Jim Gibbons will be highlighting this new tradition with the awarding of the Governor's Grand Champion Trophy to the best overall marching band.

For band competition information and for entry forms:

Field competition: Jeff Goldstein, U.S. Scholastic Band Association, at (610) 821-0345 or jgoldstein@yea.org.

Parade competition: Nevada Day Parade at www.nevadaday.com of 882-2600.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.