For 27 years, Mel Carrillo has devoted his career to inspiring local students with his love of music, singing and performing.
Every year Redwood’s Spring Show ends with all of the choir students coming together to sing The Beatles “In My Life.” This year even more significance will be felt when they sing the lyrics John Lennon wrote about friendships and relationships that change and evolve over time and are never forgotten.
In June, Carrillo will complete his time as a Ranger and join the staff at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego as their Associate Professor of Music.
“All of my career I have seen God’s hand in it,” Carrillo said. “Each step has felt meant to be.”
A lifelong passion
Growing up in Goshen, Carrillo liked to sit next to the organ in church. The deep soulful sounds that emanated from that instrument would prove to make a lasting impression on the future music teacher and passionate choral director.
As a seventh-grader at Divisadero Middle School, Carrillo was enrolled in boy’s choir. His teacher was Joe Hannah, one of the Son’s of the San Joaquin.
“When Hannah picked up his guitar, the room full of 70 boys was silent. We were all transfixed, listening to him,” Carrillo said. “When director Dan Jackson brought the Mt. Whitney choir to perform their Christmas music for our class, I was in awe. I had never heard anything like that.”
Thus began Carrillo’s lifelong love of music that would lead to him teaching and inspiring students.
“We all have a tool inside of us,” Carrillo said. “It takes that teacher to light the fire, the passion.”
After graduating from Anderson University in Indiana, his music career started at Kings River Hardwick in Kingsburg, where he was offered a job teaching classroom music, handbells and choir.
Carrillo then directed the La Joya Middle School choirs for four years, before moving on to Redwood High School.
Leaving a mark on Redwood
Veteran educator Cathy West’s children have all been positively impacted by Carrillo’s inspirational musical teaching style over the last 10 years.
“He has made a great impact on our family and many others,” West said. “Mel Carrillo has been a constant source of encouragement and guidance for my three kids. They have learned from him, been supported by him, and we have been lucky to have so many adventures with him.”
He’s taken students on trips New York City, Disneyland and Austria.
“He has provided his students so many incredible opportunities,” West added.
Under Carrillo’s direction, Redwood choir has earned Superior ratings at the CMEA Choral Festival year after year.
Choir trips that include performances and competitions are also a rite of passage for the advanced choirs.
“He finds a way to be professional, supportive and have fun,” West said. “He has provided his students with so many incredible opportunities. He will be missed and he leaves some very big shoes to fill.”
Carrillo and his wife, Kim, share a love of music and teaching. She will also be leaving Ridgeview Middle School and Valley Oak Middle School as the choir director.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Beloved Redwood High School choir director Mel Carrillo departs
Reporting by Meade Trueworthy, Special to Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
