Mission Statement
The McClatchy High School VAPA Music Program is committed to providing its students a comprehensive and substantial education centered on artistic awareness, musical growth, and character development. Guided by national and local music education standards, the program enhances the expected performance-based instruction with exposure to music theory, music studies from a historical and cultural context, and an exploration of real-world opportunities for musicians and applications of their talents. The education process extends beyond the classroom through collaborations with peer, community, and professional organizations in the form of shared performances, clinics, masterclasses, and presentations. In addition, program concerts, recitals, and rehearsals are conducted in a manner consistent with that of professional organizations.
The program understands and accepts its inherent responsibility to make available endeavors that lead to positive and meaningful character development in students. By emphasizing the direct correlation between personal growth and ensemble success, students are encouraged to emerge as musical leaders that demonstrate a strong work ethic, exhibit sacrifice in the name of community, and display a thirst for knowledge.
Jorge Muñoz: Biography
Jorge Muñoz earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Trombone Performance, a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music, and a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from California State University, Sacramento. Under the guidance of Dr. Ernie Hills and Dr. Robert Halseth, he was a trombonist, singer, and conductor with the bands, various chamber ensembles, and choirs. He has been a participant in workshops presided by acclaimed conductors such as Fredrick Fennell, Eugene Corporon, Robert Reynolds, Mallory Thompson, John Whitwell, Allan McMurray, Jerry Junkin, Emily Threinen, and Jack Stamp.
Along with his collegiate musical training, Mr. Muñoz was a performing member of the Riverside Community College Marching Band, the Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Freelancers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. Muñoz served as the instrumental and vocal music teacher at Highlands High School in North Highlands, California from 2000 to 2007. In that position he was the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors. He was voted new teacher of the year by the student body in 2000 and was honored by the California League of High School Educators in 2003 as a Teacher of the Year finalist. His colleagues selected him as school site Teacher of the Year in 2005 – an honor that led to the Grant Joint High School District Teacher of the Year Award and a place as a finalist for the Sacramento County Teacher of the Year. From 2008 to 2011 Mr. Muñoz held the position of head band director at Lincoln High School in Stockton, California where he taught piano, electronic music, and led the concert, jazz, and marching bands.
In his current position at C.K. McClatchy High School of Sacramento, Mr. Muñoz has focused his efforts on the creation and growth of a Visual and Performing Arts Program. As part of a dedicated arts team, he strives to create a dynamic music program that provides a balanced, authentic, and rigorous musical education that instills a life-long love of music and performance in all students. His efforts were recognized in 2021 when he was nominated as a candidate for Sacramento City Unified School District Teacher of the Year. In 2025, he was honored with McClatchy High School’s first Heart of a Lion recognition and the Friends of Sacramento Arts Hero of Arts Education recognition.
Mr. Muñoz’s other teaching experiences include service as program coordinator, drill designer, music arranger, and marching instructor for several high school marching bands. He has also held positions on the instructional staffs of the CSU, Sacramento Marching Band and the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. While completing his masters degree, Mr. Muñoz had the privilege of leading the symphonic bands and co-teaching the conducting classes at CSU, Sacramento.
Mr. Muñoz currently makes his home in Elk Grove, California with his wife Megan – a registered nurse and flutist – and their twin boys Isaac and Joaquin. The Muñoz family enjoys travel, bird watching, star gazing, baseball, all things Star Wars, Disney/Pixar movies, and attending live performing arts events.
Nico Peruzzi: Biography
Nico Peruzzi was born in Sacramento and graduated from McClatchy High School in 2014. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education in 2018 and his Masters Degree in Music Education in 2020 from University of the Pacific. After grad school, he moved back to Sacramento and spent 4 years as the Band and Orchestra Director at Rosemont High School before accepting the position of Co-Director of Ensembles at McClatchy High School. Today, he lives in downtown Sacramento and stays active as a musician, doing freelance gigs on Trombone and Percussion as well as playing in several community ensembles including the Sacramento Symphonic Winds and Clementine Brass Band. In addition to his work with the McClatchy Music Program, he does instructional work with the Sacramento Mandarins, judges competitions for the Northern California Band Association, and does freelance writing and arranging for local band programs. In his free time, he enjoys biking, photography, and video games.