Klarinet Archive - Posting 000639.txt from 1998/04

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: budget cutbacks
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 05:07:04 -0400

On Tue, 14 Apr 1998, Jill R. Exner wrote:
> It's sad, isn't it? The same thing is happening here. Every year, we
> band boosters have to struggle to raise more and more money because of
> school board budget cuts. Last year, they decided they couldn't pay for
> the trailer we use to transport our equipment to football games--so we
> have to foot the $300.00 per trip bill. Of course, the football
> team--and equipment is transported ( after the weekly dinner for the
> team, of course). I'm getting scared about it. Now, on top of that,
> we're beginning block scheduling next year, which I am not sure will help
> things.

Jill brings up some good points. However, at the risk of the large volume
of hate mail I might receive, I would like to contribute a few ideas:

1. The music/band teacher who puts their music program on the field
or in a parade or fund raises for a trip to do the same without
establishing a first rate, concert band, runs the risk of having their
program cut beneath them. It is simple matemetics folks.......when money
is scarce and the band does not seem to be any different than any other
athletic team, the school board will cut the "team" that has the lowest
value to the school (determined by ticket sales).

2. Many band programs and their teachers spend an inordinate amount
of time fund raising for things like auxillary equipment (rifles, flags,
gloves, spats, hats, trailers to haul marching equipment, marching
percussion, etc.) and for trips to show off that equipment. In fact,
locally, we have a band that travels every other year to attend parades
for the Rose Bowl, Blue Bonnett Bowl, Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl etc. These
bands do not perform anything other than parade music at the parade
associated with the bowl game, pep band music at the game itself, and the
same music at the tourist attraction of choice (Disneyworld or Disneyland,
Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags, etc.). There is little justification
musically for this kind of fund raising and traveling.

Jill' comment about not transporting the band is a great opportunity for
the band to bow out of football performances. And, in order to not
discriminate, basketball games will be a problem as well! The band would
do better to educate the students musically - in all areas - beyond the
facet for which the district has publicly denied funds. It is sad that
the music programs must constantly prove their worth, but school board
personnel does change, and money can be an issue. The truely healthy
band/music program that stands on its own without the publicity associated
with the athletic programs is in a much better position to avoid cutbacks.

Roger Garrett
IWU