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So I've been wodering if this is happening anywhere else.

I just heard today that my old middle school completely cut the music program. This was a very good program, especially the band program. Now I feel really bad for my old director, who was amzing, and all my old friends who would still have been in band this year. I'm getting more and more worried as these programs are being cut in higher grade schools. How long until high schools start cutting the programs? Even if they don't cut the high school program, cutting younger bands impact the high school bands. They started by cutting elementary music. How will kids know they are interested in playing an instrument if they don't try it forcefully(Haha) And now in middle schools? We are going to have to start having a biggening band! I don't want to teach people how to play their instrument. I want to teach them how to be better on it. And by the point of high school, any spark of interest in playing an instrument will have been washed away by something like drama or choir. My worry is, that if things get real bad, like cutting all middle school programs, they might be forced to cut all band programs alltogether, because of lack of interest and enrollment. I mean, they already threatened my school and said we had to have 150 kids in all of his classes combined or our bd's hours would be cut and we would only have half the classes we have.(This would cause major issues because he teaches orchestra for a period too. This would give us about 1 period for full band, 1 period for orchestra and one for either percussion, Jazz or Guard class. Currently we have 2 bands, orchestra, jazz, percussion and guard.)
but why cut the music prgrams? Why not sports? Because nobody cares about band. And why not? Seriously. Why not? It is proven that music and language increase intelligence, especially when learned at a young age. Our world is stupid enough. why cut out one of the few smart breeds of human known? it doesn't make sense. It really doesn't.
And unfortunately we are also subject to budget cuts. We have been forced to put $65 thousand+ in equipment and uniforms at risk because we are forced to take two buses to festivals and a different two home. We have too many large instruments, uniforms, hat boxes, percussion and props to stuff them all into a small truck, and it would cost more to get another truck. And the smaller instruments have put their instruments in danger on busrides because we have them out of their cases on the way, because there is no other way. Its pretty bad.

So anyway, chat about program cuts, budget cuts, reasons why or why not music should be cut, your experiences, etc. I'd like to know.

It's really sad that they are cutting music and art classes. I loved music class when I was in elementary, we had our own classroom and all, but now days at that school they don't even have music class.
Our middle school has a very good music and band! I hope they never cancel it. It's the reason I'm here right now!!
Actually, at the middle school, the best of the 8th graders get to be in the marching band at the high school! The 8th grader in our section is pretty nice, and I was already friends with him from last year ^U^

I have always been upset about this, ever since I've heard about it. I got into playing flute through hearing a wooden flute. I wouln't be who I am now without my middle school band.

For my art class we're making these stamps about political or social issues we care about. Art funding was the first thing to pop into my mind.