With the start of a new school year, Camas High School (CHS) has welcomed a new director of bands to lead the program.

Jarod Sorum, originally from Redmond, Ore., has taught music since 2007. After graduating with a bachelor’s in music education from Boise State University, he began teaching at Carson High School in Carson City, Nev. Even as a kid, he was drawn to teaching.

“I was strongly influenced by my music teachers growing up,” Sorum said. “Then, sometime around junior or senior year, it dawned on me that I could teach music … and it seemed kind of silly I hadn’t thought about it before.”

Since beginning his career, Sorum has worked with beginning bands at the elementary level to advanced bands at high school and collegiate levels.

Most recently, Sorum was the band director at Evergreen High School. In his first year there, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and he worked to rebuild a sense of community and identity for students during lockdown. 

Currently, Sorum’s main goal is to make the transition from Richard Mancini, the previous CHS director of bands, as smooth as possible. 

“Aiding the transition in a way that allows the community to be confident that everything they’ve been successful with in the past and everything that has made the program great is still the priority,” Sorum said,

Logan Hakala, a senior band student at CHS, said he is optimistic about the coming year.

“It’s hard to move on, but I’m confident that the band is in good hands,” Hakala said.

As for long-term goals, Sorum hopes to increase outreach for the jazz, concert, and symphonic bands, as well as connect CHS students to students from other band programs around the region. 

“It’s so beneficial for students to see other musicians perform and for them to make those connections and those bonds,” Sorum said.

While looking forward to leading the program, Sorum recognizes that success depends on more than just the director.

“It’s the love and drive of learning music and building skills,” Sorum said. “Band instruments are social instruments … and what makes a band program strong is having tremendous student leadership and pure student connection.”

In his own high school band, Sorum played trumpet. Even years later, he still loves any kind of horn, yet he found it difficult to name just one favorite instrument.

“Instruments are tools … and they’re colors,” Sorum said. “My favorite instrument is one that is making the most music.”

Sorum is a firm believer that performing arts are some of the most necessary academic courses. Whether theater, choir, or band, Sorum sees music as a crucial component of life. 

“To live [without music] is to deny an essential part of humanity,” Sorum said.

He is also looking forward to future events with the band such as assemblies, games, and parades.

“The band is essential as the driving force of spirit and enthusiasm,” Sorum said. “We are part of the school identity and we’re one of the most present, visible elements of that identity.”

Olive Gilbert, a junior at CHS, agrees that without a band, there would be much less school spirit.

“The band brings the noise,” Gilbert said. “I’m excited to see what the new school year brings, especially with Mr. Sorum directing this year.”

Outside of school, Sorum can be found backpacking, cheering on a Portland Timbers or Thorns game, and cooking at home with his wife and three-year-old. He is thankful to the students and staff for making him feel so welcome at CHS.

“I can’t wait to make some music,” Sorum said.