
Hi, this is Paul Batiste updating you on the latest from the Batiste Family. Presently, I have licensed the Batiste Brand name to ReNew Charter Management. Also, we have been at the school since it opened in 2010.
I am the administrator for The Batiste Family® and Band Director at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy®. I am using my over 30 years of teaching experience in New Orleans—at more than 15 schools—in this endeavor to help ReNew and my family. Also, I am using my experience to administer Professional Development to Jamal Batiste, Ryan Batiste, Michael Batiste, Kristopher Batiste, David Batiste, Sr., and Damon Batiste. I am teaching the famous first time Batiste Academy Marching Band. Donors have given us over $55,000.00 worth of uniforms and $30,000.00 worth of band instruments. Now, we are ready to march in our first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. They are doing a tremendous job of inspiring over a thousand children in the ReNew Network.
I have always been at the forefront of Arts Education in New Orleans by engaging the Batiste Brand and family in Public Schools. In the District, we performed at all secondary and elementary schools over the years. I founded the Batiste Brothers Band® in 1976 and wrote, “(Gon‘ be Dat) New Orleans Music in 1984 for our citizens. In the Times-Picayune article “Strike, UP The Band,” I, along with administrators, parents and staff, started a S.B. Wright’s band from scratch and marched in the first-ever Mardi Gras Parade immediately after the storm.
In less than two years, Batiste Academy and Sci-Tech have raised it’s standardized tests scores by at least 20 points. With being only in our second year at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy® and Sci-Tech, we have lifted the spirits, morale and hopes of over a thousand students in the ReNew network.
I can be found on TV, Radio, Billboards, and the internet—advertising for the children of Batiste Academy. In the first year of advertising that I would be teaching at Batiste, the school enrolled a record number of children. The challenge is in being able to keep that number of children and bring that number to a new level.
Now, my students and I are in the newspaper again and on the President’s Committee for the Arts and the Humanities’ Website in the advertisement about Batiste Academy being one of only eight schools chosen to participate in an initiative to lift these low performing schools out of failing status nationwide.
This will go along way toward recruiting and keeping students at Batiste. This initiative plugs in over a million dollars in staffing, band instruments, and Professional Development Resources.
The Initiative will help not only the students of the ReNew network, but it’s designed to help the entire nation.
Continue to help me help our citizens by using Louisiana’s most affective and famous tool, “THE ARTS.”
-Paul A. Batiste-

Introduction
The book is the story of my life-destined to serve
You are the reason and rhyme
If you are an aspiring teacher, band director, band leader, classroom music teacher, special education teacher, professional guitarist, flutist, composer, arranger, independent record producer, record promoter, promoter, independent record label, sequence programmer, home studio engineer, song writer, bookng agent, photographer or a novice, you should read this book. I’m not all of those things, but I have seen them. Over a period of decades, I’ve experienced some things that may help someone. I am a teacher and band leader. I have developed skills which combine methods and techniques to conform to today’s advanced students.
As a band director, I have started music programs from elementary school to high school. In addition, I have routinely started band programs from scratch. Also, I have partnered with a charter school and applied for a charter school.
Having taught my first class in 1978, I witnessed the evolution of education in New Orleans and the United States. Conversely, I’ve seen some great traditions in education disappear. This book gives one a great insight on where education is now and where it is headed.
As a band leader, I have managed the Batiste Brothers Band® for decades and we have performed nationally and internationally. However, we are a local band. I have spent most of my performing career in Louisiana.
Another disappearing great set of values are described and examined is the American Musical Family. In this book we will explore value systems and the pros and cons of having a musical family.
Finally, gain from the many challenges of the life of a well traveled and coveted career veteran of innovation and creativity. Read this book and learn the nuances and the ins and outs of education and show business. It dawned on me as I was completing the book, I realized it is a good way for me to re-visit my wonderful life-a calling.
On Sale
The Batiste Family® is an independent organization an is not affiliated with any other associations. We work closely with other groups, but we do not have stock in their holdings.
Damon Batiste is not the leader of the Batiste Brothers Band®, The Batiste Family®, Batiste Cultural Arts Academy®or Batiste Family International School®. For information contact: Paul Batiste
I managed and recorded Jonathan, Jamal and Travis as the Batiste Kids. That act performed every Lundi Gras at the Children's Museum. Now, they are adults-Pharmacist, UNO graduate and Juilliard graduate. I now have Jamal, Ryan and Lil' Mike working with me as assistant band directors at Batiste Cultural Arts Academy.
Years ago, when they performed dates, they were accompanied by my mother and father's great grand children.