The Hayward Unified School District gathered with the sound of music as students from both middle and high school performed at the HUSD Performing Arts Center for the annual All-District Music Festival, held March 19 and 20. Featuring choirs, orchestras and concert bands, the two-night event highlighted the talents of HUSD’s young musicians, supported and polished by professional guest conductors from top music programs across California.
The third performance of the first evening, held with Dr. Catalina Barraza, professor of violin/viola at San Jose State University, serving as guest director of both high school and middle school orchestras, began with performances by the middle schools. Robert Alfaro, teaching King Middle School; Carlo Fazio, teaching Bret Harte Middle School; Patricia Hurtado, teaching Chavez Middle School; Melanie Work, teaching Winton Middle School; and Bryan Holbrook, with Ochoa Middle School, led students in performing “Golden Grove,” “Mi Caballito” and “Gaelic Castle.” The event concluded with high school performances by Mt. Eden High School, taught by Ronnie Cato; Tennyson High School, taught by Patricia Hurtado; and Hayward High, taught by Nick Tocco. Their selections included “Ode to a Joyride,” “Shenandoah” and “Shadowgate.”, ending off the first evening.
The second evening, held on March 20, featured concert bands for both middle school and high school led by guest conductor for the event, Troy Davis of West Valley College. The middle schools of Ochoa, taught by Bryan Holbrook; Bret Harte, taught by Carlo Fazio; Chavez, taught by Carlo Fazio; and Winton, taught by Melanie Work, performed first with pieces of “Fanfare on a Theme of Imagination,” “After the Rain” and “A Jubilant Spirit.” The evening ended with high school bands from Mt. Eden, Tennyson and Hayward High, taught by the same instructors who led the orchestras, performing “Fanfare for a New Era,” “One Life Beautiful” and “Havana Nights” with Troy Davis, ending off 2025’s HUSD District Music Festival with performances that were wonderfully executed by students who continue to grow musically talented.
band closing District Festival of 2025
Hayline 