Retired Music Director John Mattern of Redwood High School rehearses with students for the annual “Night of Blues” fundraiser on March 6, 2020. (Courtesy of Marian Jones Thompson)

After months of debate, the Tamalpai Allied High School District Board of Trustees agreed this fall to reorganize two of the school’s three music programs.

The Board of Trustees agreed to proceed with a 40% reduction in the number of instructional sections and corresponding teacher hours in the music program at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo.

District Superintendent Tara Topia said the decision was due to declining enrollment in music classes.

“This year we had five music classes at Archie. Next year we will have three,” Topia said in an email.

Archie Williams’ music teacher Chip Boas, who teaches the five sections, will replace retired Redwood full-time music teacher John Mattern. Archie Williams will be hiring a part-time music teacher, Topia said.

No changes are planned to the music program at Mill Valley’s Tamalpais High School.

Enrollment in music classes at Tam High School and Redwood High School is expected to remain flat or increase in the fall, according to a board announcement at its March 14 board meeting.

Each class section costs about $35,000, so cutting two class sections would save about $70,000, said Assistant Superintendent Wes Sedros.

Director Kevin Saavedra, who has been a vocal advocate of not allowing the music program to deteriorate, said he has a strong interest in finding ways to strengthen the district’s overall program.

Saavedra is a financial expert and has been playing the trumpet since third grade. He continued to perform through public schools and colleges and still plays with professional Bay Area musicians in jazz bands and other venues.

“I’m very passionate about music,” he said. “Having been educated in music in public schools, the impact it has had on my life has been truly amazing.”

Saavedra said he supports greater cooperation between Marin High School and middle school music classes, as well as the expansion of joint music groups and general music mixing across the county.

“Music education is different from math,” he said.

Matern, who is retiring after almost 20 years of service, will conduct his final concert at Redwood University’s commencement ceremony on Friday. Carl Supulzem, the parent of Corte Madera, whose two sons are students at Redwood’s Matern school, said he was encouraged by the changes planned for next year.

“He created probably the most exciting and successful music program that ever existed in Marin County,” Sperzem said of Matern. “I have great hopes that Chip will continue what John created.”

At Matern’s recent retirement memorial service, Sperzem arranged video interviews with graduates of the Redwood Music Program, some of whom later became professional musicians, producers and singer-songwriters, and their success I thought it was thanks to Matan.

“I just wanted to bring his story to life and reflect on the incredible work he has done over the last 20 years and the incredible positive impact he has had on so many young people.” Sparzem said.

Matern has produced his own albums and still performs and hosts concerts at his ranch barn in Ukiah.

“He’s a monster musician and a great teacher,” said Paul Robinson, Matern’s longtime assistant at Redwood. “It was a great experience working with him.”