Many in the Tri-State area have voiced their concerns over the Claiborne County School Board and Administrator’s decision to cut music out of the school system for the next school year. Here are some of the reactions that have come to the Middlesboro Daily News:

“The Claiborne County Band program was started by Tom Shutes over 40 years ago. I fear that once it’s gone, it will be difficult if not impossible to resurrect. My son has been in band for four years. Band has been a very important part of his education and is just as important as Math and English class. I have watched him over the years grow in his music it’s taught him responsibility, self respect, team work. I can’t imagine going to a high school football game and the band not there to perform... No marching band (is) a very sad thought. I just hope the band program can be saved.”

— Debbie Clayton, in a letter-to-editor

“Not all students are interested in a sports program... A person’s decision to move their family, business or company to the area might be determined by if there is band, chorus and music in the schools... I work in Lee County and we were fortunate to keep band, chorus, music, art and PE in all our schools through the difficult budget crisis. All these subjects are important... A student’s decision to stay in school and graduate might be determined by their participation in band, chorus, ROTC, drama, sports etc. How much is the district going to save if the drop-out rate rises? Endless testing is not an incentive for students to stay in school.”

— Francis DiVirgilio, Music teacher and band director at Thomas Walker High School in Ewing, Va., member of the LMU concert band.

“I would just like to voice my opinion on eliminating music from schools. I'm from Virginia but I understand that Claiborne County in Tennessee is in the process of eliminating music from their curriculum. This is very sad to me because I am a reading specialist and there is valid research to show how reading music helps in the reading process and musically inclined students tend to be better readers. Music and art provide an avenue for many different cultural experiences as well. Music can also teach history lessons through the years by showing changes from generation to generation. I hope the school board will re-consider this option and try to analyze and cut real waste from their budget so students will be able to continue with their education in music.”

 

— Eleanor Chadwell, a Reading Specialist at Rose Hill Elementary in Rose Hill, Va.