by K.D. Saffron

Created on: September 02, 2008

It wasn't so long ago that the month of August signaled the beginning of practice for the weekly "field show" for every high school band, color guard, and rifles nationwide. Additionally, it was customary to find the local band boosters trying anyway possible to raise money for the band competitions and uniforms as needed. The band boosters always comprised the parents of the students and occasionally local merchants. In some cases, there was nothing bigger than the marching band and the scenes and sets along with the banners created by the art students. Their works lined the hallways as well as the local streets for Friday night games. How those were the days and sadly they are not the case in today's schools.

In the 60's, 70's and maybe some early 80's, but shortly thereafter, we saw a marked decrease in school music and art programs. They were being slashed each year to make way for less important programs when art and music not only provided a skill, "show cased" the talent of many, provide exercise and entertainment to the local townspeople, provided a valuable outlet for some kids and was a way for some to even in a positive way to socialize. This very valuable instruction while so easily cut from the school systems, has more than shown the destructive result of the decision. Today, it is safe to say that school spirit is way down. Historically, the band and art students provided the "backbone of school spirit" for most and without it; the result is less than desirable.

The result of the disappearance of these programs can be felt in that there is greater discipline problems, as the students who would be most inclined to take these courses are forced into square holes where they do not fit. When this happens, they will fight back and that is what schools are dealing with today. These students have no outlet. They may or may not be academically inclined, however without the one class that they all enjoyed, they fail to socialize, they fail to thrive and their behavior will be the first place this decision is noticed.

As well, for many, the high school band was an opportunity to springboard into college or university bands or music programs. Without the music programs to prepare them and the practice that they require, it is very difficult for them to compete when they get to the university level. The result is that the music students are not prepared and therefore must suffer later in that they won't have the skill necessary to compete.

Overall, the decision

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>