What’s the secret behind the band program at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth, Florida? “I often tell my students that ‘this is your band, not mine – what do you want?’ This lets them know that every decision I make is with them in mind,” explains Band Director Amrutha V. Murthy.
She reimagined band as an expressive, interdisciplinary art form rather than a single-performance activity. This viewpoint has help her build a student-centered program. Her students see music not only as a performance medium but where they build relationships. Rehearsals are focused on student-approach and camaraderie, and daily processes are not stereotypical — they change daily and they work for each ensemble.
The Park Vista ensembles have performed on international stages, including the London New Year’s Day Parade, and will be performing at the 2026 Music for All National Concert Band Festival. The marching and concert programs are innovative in their own fashion, prioritizing close relationships and motivation for musical excellence through a sense of shared community goals. “Students engage with music as narrative, understanding intention and more, but they also socialize outside of ensemble time, are family with each other, which elevates both performance quality and student investment across all ensembles,” Murthy explains.
She focuses on student leadership, access and accountability. “Students are empowered through structured leadership teams, peer mentorship and shared ownership of ensemble culture,” she says.
Any barriers are actively addressed. Murthy states, “No student is denied opportunity, whether that barrier is financial or preferential,” explaining that marching band is not required for all music students. The program includes two jazz ensembles, color guard, a wind ensemble and symphonic band — there’s something for everyone.
Lastly, “accountability is paired with care,” Murthy says. “Students are held to high artistic standards while being taught reflection, resilience and growth through challenge.”
Murthy regularly integrates collegiate-level rehearsal standards, including score study, conceptual language and reflective dialogue. “Curriculum pacing is flexible and responsive, allowing depth over speed while meeting diverse student needs,” she explains. “Setbacks are framed as opportunities for innovation, whether adjusting pedagogy, restructuring rehearsal flow, or empowering student leaders to problem-solve.”
Her students lead a lot of their own rehearsals, emphasizing chamber-music and individual ideas. “We focus on what is needed for our ensemble growth as humans and musicians, and not what any cookie-cutter model is,” she says with pride.
This approach clearly works. Since Murthy’s arrival, the Park Vista band has grown from approximately 70 students to over 180, with increased student ownership across concert, jazz and marching ensembles. “Students take pride in artistry, discipline and community impact, evidenced not only through accolades, but through sustained engagement, leadership and musical maturity across all performance areas,” she says.
Murthy also serves in leadership roles with the Palm Beach County Band Director’s Association and the Florida Music Education Association, which has strengthened her ability to collaborate, advocate and lead beyond her own classroom. “These experiences have sharpened my organizational skills, broadened my perspective on equity and access, and reinforced the importance of mentorship. Working countywide has allowed me to support students and directors holistically while continuously refining my own practice,” she says.
