When Caleb Shabestari was a band student at Alta High in 2008, he, as many of those before him and after, signed a brick in the music room. He was the band historian, and it was the first year Alta High had put its recordings on YouTube so he wrote YouTube along with his name.

That brick and others got covered up by a wall in what is now the counseling center, which happened with the 2021 remodel completion. However, recently the bricks re-emerged. 

“Our yearbook crew took high-definition photos of the bricks with their nice cameras, and we sent those into a company to make a big vinyl banner,” said Shabestari, who now is the school’s instrumental director. “That banner is hanging in our new music hall. It represents the 45-year legacy of the old room in our new room that is going to serve our students going forward.”

The new music hall opened in late spring after 11 months of construction.

“When I was in high school, our facilities needed upgrades back then. I began in 2014 with the marching band, we needed more storage. We had 40 musicians in our marching band and now, this year, we had 100. It’s just been a challenge to have storage for our instruments and equipment. This upgrade has been long overdue and to finally be in a space that suits our needs is incredible,” he said.

The new instrumental room at 6,000 square feet now is three times the size of the former band room.

“Previously, we were never able to do full marching band rehearsals or full orchestra rehearsals with 200 musicians. We would have to go out in the hallway or go outside for our full rehearsals. Now we can fit,” he said. “We now have practice rooms which are completely soundproof and a percussion storage room that doubles as a classroom that also is soundproof. So, we can have separate rehearsals or independent practicing happening at the same time.”

Another feature Shabestari appreciates are the doors which are large enough so they’re able to move around instruments and equipment inside and out, which is especially helpful for marching.

“I was able to work with VCBO Architecture through the entire process. I measured the largest instruments, and they made the doors bigger than those. Each step of the way, they listened andasked me, ‘What do you want? How many storage lockers do you need? How many music shelves do you need?’ They accomplished everything I asked for,” he said.

An open house for the music hall was held before the school year was over, where they celebrated the successes of the program. It was held just days before they began the marching band season where the group was scheduled to perform in a couple of area parades this summer.Joining him as assistant band director is Alta High 2020 alumnae Madlyn Bowles, who also will assist at Indian Hills Middle School.

“The last couple of years have been remarkable. The ensembles have qualified for state every year for the last five years. Our marching band for two years now took first place down at the St. George Bands of America regional. They got to perform in finals that night this year, which was amazing,” said Shabestari, who was the 2024 PTSA Secondary Educator of the Year for region 17 and the 2023 Utah High School Activities Association’s music educator of the year.

Additionally, Winter Guard placed first at the Herriman High Invitational and Winter Drumline took first at Ogden’s Intermountain Percussion Association Invitational and placed third at state.

“We also have been hosting the state jazz festival and our jazz band was one of seven bands that got the highest possible scores. We’ve had over 30 students qualify for the state solo and ensemble contest,” he said. “Band is a powerful thing. It keeps kids motivated. It keeps kids in school.”

Shabestari said it’s not all about honors.

“I’m in it for the kids and how much I love them and how passionate they are. The kids get a sense of belonging; they get a sense of feeling at home,” he said. “Band and music mean so much to these kids, but they can’t always put it into words. I always tell them when ‘words fail music speaks,’ and they can translate their feelings through their playing. I have kids who are shy and introverted, and can’t make eye contact, but they can release all their stress while playing their instrument. That’s more important than any gold trophy.”