H.S. Marching Bands Struggling
Why are high school music programs shrinking?
Football games and marching bands are an American tradition. Half-time means a performance by the local marching band, right? Well, if you are lucky, it does.
Shrinking Interest
Thirty years ago when extracurricular events were much fewer, interest in marching band was great. It just wasn't a football game or a parade without the local marching band. Today, students have many more events to consider. Middle Schools now have sports competitions which often conflict with after school music times. High schools offer Mock Trial, History Day, Leadership Clubs, and Dollars for Scholars to name just a few. Students are expected to "work out" before or after school if out for sports. Many students hold jobs before and after school. Students have so many more choices and marching band in hot wool uniforms is no longer the top choice.
No Child Left Behind
More emphasis on math and reading was never intended to deplete marching bands and other music programs, but that is exactly what is happening. Schools are adding more required classes to gain proficiency to meet NCLB requirements. There are just so many hours in a day. The result is shrinking music and P.E. programs and less recess.
Rural schools are not growing in student enrollment like larger cities and many no longer have a marching band. Inner city schools are also struggling to keep band programs going. Any program involving instruments is expensive. Add the marching band uniforms and a tight budget and you have some tough decisions to make as a school board.
Time Crunch
Many schools move music programs to before and after school to allow more time to fulfill the mandates dictated by NCLB. This makes it nearly impossible for students with working parents to get them to the practices. In addition, music instruments require constant maintenance. Many families have to make tough choices and let the most expensive items go.
AP and College Credit Classes
Students are also feeling the pressure of taking AP and college credit classes. Colleges that used to accept students based on grade point average in the past now expect students to take AP classes to prove they are capable of success at the college level. In a way, high schools have done this to themselves. Standards in many schools have been lowered and social promotion is common. Colleges often see students with fairly high grade point averages not do well in college so they want more evidence.
Materialism
Students want nice things and often have to hold down jobs to be able to afford a car, the insurance and the latest clothes. By the time they get off work and do their homework, there is little time for anything else but sleep.
There is also so much emphasis on grade point averages and honors classes that students take the classes that will get them the most "bang for the buck" and that would not be music.
Higher Standards Coming
High schools have recently begun requiring more classes for graduation. Many students that graduated from high school with minimum requirements are finding that they don't meet many college entrance requirements. Again, more pressure to take academic classes and less time to take music and art.
Research does show that students involved in music do better in school and on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. For many, it is the only area where they can truly excel and often one of the few classes they truly enjoy in school. Right-brained students, who often struggle with some academic classes, excel in music and art.
Fewer students in high school music leads to fewer musicians in college. Could this mean less "good" music, in general? Let's hope not. Music is good for the soul.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
