Logan Band Director Ramiro Barrera Announces Retirement

After 36 years as an acclaimed high school band director, Ramiro Barrera is stepping down.

Barrera, who served as director of bands at for more than 15 years, announced his retirement in a letter posted on the Logan band website Wednesday.

Though the announcement came the same day former Associate Director of Bands Kenneth Karlin, who recently left the district, published of the New Haven Unified School District on Union City Patch, Barrera said in his letter that his decision to retire was a personal one made for reasons he did not disclose.

Barrera wrote:

I will miss working with all of the fine musicians and amazing Booster parents. I do have many memories of the fantastic accomplishments we have all experienced together.

I do not know what the future holds for me but what I want you to know is that I will always have you in my heart. Please understand that this is a personal decision based on many factors. I do not want to hurt anyone and only wish you the best as we all move forward.

Many thanks to the staff that made me look good with their brilliant work. Many thanks to the boosters that worked tirelessly to make our dream come true every year for the past 15 years.

In closing, it is up to you as individuals to continue to strive for excellence no matter what you do in life.

I will miss you and am sorry to not have been able to do this in person.

During his tenure at Logan, Barrera led the school’s various bands to international recognition.

Under Barrera’s leadership, Logan’s bands have won numerous Western Band Association championships, performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and have traveled to play at Carnegie Hall, the Edinburgh Easter International Music Festival in Scotland and to China to take part in the Beijing Olympic Orchestra in 2008, among many, many accolades.

Over the years, Barrera touched the lives of hundreds of students, many who said he was a stern but influential instructor.

“Mr Barrera is amazing at what he does and you will never forget what he teaches you,” wrote one former student on RateMyTeachers.com. “Don't let the yelling discourage you. He does what he does because he cares. I was just watching some of our shows on YouTube. OMG! Experience of a lifetime.”

Barrera will leave an indelible imprint on the district, officials said.

"Ramiro Barrera, during his years at James Logan High School, has had a tremendous impact on children throughout the New Haven Unified School District,” district spokesman Rick La Plante told Union City Patch. “He has brought the school many honors but, more important, he has helped teach hundreds and hundreds of students lessons that will last a lifetime."

Were you one of Barrera’s students? Share your band memories in the comments section below.

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