Santa Monica-Malibu Arts Ed Advocacy Team

06/18/2026

The four members played together in orchestras and bands throughout their SMMUSD years before reuniting after college and forming the band in 2019. The name itself is a direct reference to the group's shared history.

"The whole reason why our band is called This Whole Time is because we've been friends together the whole time," Tomita said. "We've been a part of each other's lives the entire time."

"I wouldn't have made these friends, I wouldn't have met my bandmates, had it not been for the SMMUSD music program," he said. "Having forged these lifelong friendships — that's priceless to me."

Tomita also connected the band's story to a broader conversation about arts funding in the district. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified has faced scrutiny over arts program funding in recent months. Tamita said he hopes This Whole Time offers one example of what sustained arts investment can produce.

"I'm not going to say that our band is going to be, 'Oh, like, this is the reason why you should keep arts alive,'" he said. "But I think this is one small example of the broader story — look what music within the schools can mean. It can mean lifelong friendships. It can mean continuing the journey of seeing art as a passion."

Santa Monica band This Whole Time performs Saturday at Summer SOULstice on Main Street with their new debut album. The funk-soul-rock quartet formed through SMMUSD music program.

05/29/2026

A Statement from Dr. Antonio Shelton Regarding Online Information About Elementary Music Program Discussions:

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and Community Members,

In recent weeks, questions and concerns have been raised regarding ongoing discussions surrounding the elementary music program and the use of Measure R funding. We recognize the deep passion our community has for music education and appreciate the engagement, advocacy and feedback shared throughout this process.

At the same time, information circulating online and on social media has, in some cases, created confusion regarding what has been proposed, what decisions have or have not been made and how Measure R funding supports music education across the District.

We want to provide additional clarification regarding the current status of these discussions and several topics that have recently been shared publicly.

Read the full message here: https://bit.ly/VAPAWebsiteMisinformation052726

The SMMUSD Wave- May 2026

05/29/2026

"Art and Science...
Both are dedicated to asking the big questions placed before us: “What is true? Why does it matter? How can we move society forward?” Both search deeply, and often wanderingly, for these answers. We know that the scientist’s laboratory and the artist’s studio are two of the last places reserved for open-ended inquiry...for learning to occur by a continuous feedback loop between thinking and doing."

July 11, 2013 Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmArtists and Scientists: More Alike Than DifferentBy John Maeda Join Our Community of Science Lovers!Sign Up for Our Free Daily NewsletterEnter your emailI agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Scientific American and Springer Nature Limi...

05/24/2026

https://fb.watch/HiM-BJrLjt/

05/20/2026

"Curriculum Updates" — What the District Is Actually Doing -
What the District proposes is a reduced version of the program they publicly describe.

What the District's Own Website Says:
The VAPA website describes the program Measure R funds: all 4th and 5th graders choose choir, strings, or wind instruments, taught twice a week by 10 credentialed teachers. That has been the program since 2008.

What the District Is Actually Proposing:
Cut to 9 teachers and eliminate instrument choice from 4th grade entirely. That is not a curriculum update — it is a reduction of the program voters have been funding for 18 years.

If you are interested in giving feedback to the SMMUSD, this information is useful:

05/08/2026