Mission Statement
The McClatchy High School Department of Music 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 department enhances the expected performance based instruction with exposure to music theory, historical and cultural context, as well as aesthetics. The education process extends beyond the classroom through collaborations with professionals in the form of shared performances, clinics, and presentations. In addition, department concerts, recitals, and rehearsals are conducted in a manner consistent with that of a professional organization.
The department 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 by demonstrating a strong work ethic, exhibiting sacrifice in the name of community, and displaying 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, 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.
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.
In his current position at C.K. McClatchy High School of Sacramento, Mr. Muñoz has focused his efforts on the creation of a Visual and Performing Arts Academy. Working side by side with a dedicated arts-minded team, he strives to create a music program that provides a balanced, authentic, and vigorous musical education that instills a life-long love of music and performance in all students.
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, baseball, all things Star Wars, Disney/Pixar movies, and attending live performing arts events.