In fact, Michael Carder doesn't seem to conduct the Raymond J. Fisher Middle School Jazz-Rock Ensemble at all. He plays his trumpet right alongside the 12 boys in the group as if he were one of them.

The ensemble, in its second year, is bringing music ranging from "Smoke on the Water," "Wipeout" and "Blue Monk" to Charlie Parker tunes to the school campus. The group held its first outdoor rock concert under the blazing midday sun on May 31. The boys jammed on a stage in the school quad with two students each playing the same instruments.

"It was easy," said drummer Bevan Waite, a seventh-grader. "You just don't look at the audience."

Bevan's drum set was covered in yellow caution tape. The group of high-energy boys, including bass guitarist and sixth-grader Erich Peske, said what they like about the class is that they're not graded and that their director makes sure they have fun.

"I'm just impressed," said parent Shannon Hawkes, whose son Oscar is in the band. "The kids are hard to deal with. They are all different abilities on different instruments, and they're a little wild."

"Mike took on Erich, and Erich didn't even know how to play the bass," parent Carol Peske said. "Mike had the patience and the drive to teach them. I want to see this continue next year."

Hawkes said parents were worried the ensemble would be dropped next year. The program is offered through the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation Department. Parents pay to have their students included in the group. Concerns about the group's future arose partly because it was so small this year. But the May 31 concert helped to spark interest among both male and female students at the school, and Carder is confident he'll have plenty of students who will sign up for next year's program.

"Is this our school band?" eighth-grader Paula Lucia asked, watching the lunchtime performance. "I didn't even know we had a jazz band. They're cool."

"They totally rock," eighth-grader Kristin Carvalho said.

"It's not as coordinated as regular band," said Ben Rosenberg, a seventh-grader who plays trumpet. "You are allowed to play jazz and rock 'n' roll."

"You learn to play more than one instrument," Chad Taylor, who primarily plays the trumpet, said.

"Mr. Carder lets us pretty much do what we want to do, and he just directs us," pianist Bryan Lewis said.

The ensemble practices two mornings a week in the school music room during zero period, which starts at 7:30 a.m. before regular classes begin. But next year, plans are to use the music room for the school's sixth-grade music programs, including band, orchestra and chorus.

"They're being displaced by the new schedule," Hawkes said.

Hawkes said she'd be very disappointed if the jazz-rock ensemble disbands just because it couldn't find a room to practice. But Principal Lisa Fraser said she's committed to making sure the program doesn't end.

"I will absolutely provide a space if the interest is there. We're not going to let a facility issue stand in the way," Fraser said. "The problem is the equipment, everything Mike needs."

Fraser said she wants to help the band gain access to amplifiers, a piano and other music-related equipment, and will somehow find a place to store it all. She said the students are obviously passionate about music and being a part of the ensemble, and the school's goal is to serve the interests of the students.

Hawkes added that her son, who plays guitar, wouldn't be able to play his instrument in the school band or orchestra, which is why he's signed up with the recreation department program.

"I really want to keep this going for the kids," she said.

Carder also loves music and sharing his interest with the students. He said most of the students may not go on to continue playing their instruments, but for now they're learning about leadership and team management.

"This is the chance for them to be stars, for them to be leaders," he said.

Carder also works as a family specialist for EMQ Children and Family Services. As a professional musician, he serves on the board of directors for the Santa Cruz Jazz Society. The 12 boys have been studying music culture, history, and learning either the drums or percussion as part of his instruction. They are also responsible for writing a report about a jazz musician who plays their instrument.

"I teach them how to be improvisers. They do the arranging for all the songs," Carder said. "There's nothing written down."

For more information about the Fisher Jazz-Rock Ensemble, Michael Carder can be reached at 408.561.5750 or email mike_carder@yahoo.com.