Lynette Brehm
Music In The Schools
Founder & Musician.

So many students in our city want to play music or sing but they need a music teacher to guide them and they need an instrument to play. I started the non-profit organization Music In The Schools, because I want to make sure that students in Texas have the continued opportunity to learn and play music. Its not just about learning the notes and singing on pitch, it about developing the whole Self and letting what’s inside come out.

Diane Lampe
Retired CEO, Healthsouth Riosa
Board Secretary

Prior to his involvement with the music program at Churchill High School, my younger son struggled with understanding math concepts.  Once he learned how to read music and play a musical instrument, he began to excel in math.  As he told me, “Since music is actually very mathematical, I can now understand math!”  Today, my son teaches Music in the public schools and is in the process of obtaining his teacher’s certification to teach Math.  I remain committed to insuring that other students have a similar opportunity to excel academically as a result of the music programs offered in the public schools.  

Pedro “Speedy” Gonzalez
VP of Operations McCombs Enterprises

I believe that “Music In The Schools” is a program that helps our children further their education by staying in school.  Statistics have proven that students that study the arts are more likely to pursue a higher education.  San Antonio is blessed to have many musically inclined children in our school systems and without programs such as “Music In The Schools” would never be able to reach their full potential.  The “Music In The Schools” program collects instruments donated by the citizens of San Antonio and then refurbishes the instruments to donate to the schools in need.  The program is a “Win Win” to both the students and the schools.  The McCombs family strongly feels that “Our Children’s Future Depends on our Commitment to the Educational system.”   

Blanca Aldaco
Owner, Aldaco’s Mexican Restaurant

I am honored to be in the board of “Music in the Schools”. Just like food, music brings people together! Playing an instrument requires concentration, you can play alone or in large groups to the same beat, it gets parents involved and most importantly, you learn to have discipline.

The benefits of music programs on a kid are huge… just to name a few: reduction of crime and increased attendance are credited to music programs. So economically speaking… Let’s not deny our children the opportunity to come together because of lack of funds in the public system. This board is playing to the beat with a strong desire to raise funds to donate new/used instruments to deserving schools. And the beat goes on…

Gloria Duke-Richter
Retired

Growing up in the Texas panhandle during the 50′s can best be described as bleak.   However, Lubbock ISD had in place one of the most fantastic strings programs in the state. School orchestras began in the fifth grade and continued through high school.
 
For me the beauty of the music produced by the violin could transport one to a softer more lyrical place.  My first private teacher was Professor Francisco G. Hernandez, a Lubbock transplant from Houston.  His encouragement and instruction made a profound impression on me.  Vivaldi made the panhandle less bleak.
 
I stopped playing when I got married but the sound of the well played violin still brings peace to my soul.

Chris Blake
Creative Director and Owner
Chris Blake Creative

I believe music in a universal language that has no limits or boundaries. Because of that, it is very much alive and part of our lives everywhere and all the time, and it then becomes a partner for us. When you’re a frustrated and confused teen, music can be a good friend; especially when you don’t want to talk to your parents. And if you can play an instrument, then that instrument becomes an extension of you.

Robert Trevino
Director of Latin Entertainment Relations
Gibson Musical Instruments

Roberto has been a recognized member of the entertainment arena at a Global level for over 25 years. He has worked with such artists such as Selena, Mana, Gloria Estefan, Shakira and many others.   While doing marketing for different corporations across the continentals, Roberto realized that the common denominator for all of us is Music. It was then Roberto and his associates implemented marketing programs for Corporate America that included Music and the Arts.  When Roberto was approached by Music in the Schools he was ready to do this again and aligned best with his passion already instilled in the journey he took. 

Ron Niernberg
Associate General Manager
KRTU-FM, Trinity University

In a time when the rigors of math and science are getting all of the attention in school, it is easy to forget that an entire hemisphere of our brains are devoted to creative pursuits. In fact, it is the arts where all academic disciplines intersect, with no more powerful an example of that than in music. Music helps us learn mathematics through the use of time, scale and frequency. It helps children learn language and reading by experiencing rhythm.  . 

We should all be loathe to imagine a school system unable nurture every student’s interest and ability in music.  I am proud to be a part of an organization like Music in the Schools whose mission is to prevent that from happening.

Dr. James Miculka
Director of Fine Arts
Northside Independent School District

“Music in the Schools” was the single most impacting opportunity for me to discover my inner self. . As a little child, the school music program allowed me to laugh, to sing, to dance, and to play a variety of music instruments with my friends. Along with my classmates, we learned to work together, to share together, and to achieve together. We learned the true meaning of problem solving, effective listening, collaboration, and the excitement of performing. Ultimately, the joy of making and sharing music became the vehicle for the remainder of my life…… teaching others the beauty one can have through rich music experiences.

Debora Hartman
Partner, Anders & Hartman, CPAs
Board Treasurer

I joined the board for Music in the Schools because I have always felt that children need to be exposed to music. Our history is rich with musicians, singers, and songwriters. They all contribute to our culture. Every child has the potential to be a musician. I hate to think that some talent may go unnoticed because the child never had the opportunity to explore their interest. When my children were younger, I made sure each of them spent at least one year learning a musical instrument. I learned from that experience that learning music develops a child’s other abilities, including math and science. Not every child will be good at playing an instrument or singing in harmony. But how great is it to give them a chance to see if they are?!? Being a part of Music in the Schools allows me to make sure we are giving EVERY child an opportunity to explore their musical potential.

Andrew Borrego
Partner, Borrego Law Firm

As an entertainment attorney, I have had the privilege of representing various nationally known recording artists, producers, and other music professionals and have witnessed first-hand the impact music can have on our culture and society.

With music programs across Texas experiencing significant budget cuts, Music in The Schools has now become a very significant organization in helping save music programs, and more importantly students, in Texas. I am honored to be part of such a trail blazing organization that is making a positive impact in the lives students in our Texas schools.

Alfredo Lomeli
Producer/Host “Tu Estilo”
Univision

As a member of the Board of Directors I pledge to promote the importance of Music in the youth of our community.  Having been part of the band at Longfellow Middle School and Choir at Thomas Jefferson High School, I am no stranger to music and the places it can take a student, both physically and emotionally.   My current job working on the three-time Emmy-winning Univision show, ‘TU ESTILO’ puts me in a position to promote Music In The Schools on one of our community’s biggest media platforms.  I look forward to taking on this new responsibility and working with everyone involved.

Alfredo Flores
Owner, Alamo Music Center

Music is an integral part of the Soul of every Human. We are born Musical. The first thing we do is sing loudly and those of us who nurture the melodies we hear and learn and create more of them become the minstrels and troubadours of civilization. ??Our Mission as Music people is to present the chance to make Music to everyone we can whether they first understand it or not. By doing that we are sure to open a world of peace and fulfillment for all who receive and embrace our gift.

Nina Duran
Editor, La Prensa Bilingual Newspaper

‘“Music in the Schools” is the first board I’ve been a part of in a long time. Music shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be easy for any child to access, no matter their status. Music not only moves us, but enables us to become better individuals. And in the end, isn’t that what we want for our future generations? To be better than what we are today? Music makes this possible.”