Through these trying economic times there is still fun and music. Even with all the budget cuts that have happened this year, the band program endures.

Kevin Whitelaw, the band director of all the bands, remains optimistic for the program. Fundraising is a huge part of the band budget, and Whitelaw encourages the band members to sell their products. The only band fundraiser was the Holiday Greenery Fundraiser, designed to raise money through sale of Christmas trees and wreaths. This fundraiser has been a band project for years, and benefits the community by creating holiday cheer.

This Holiday Greenery Fundraiser makes a huge amount of money for the band program, “We can raise anywhere from $2500-$3000,” Whitelaw said.

Even with that amount of money, the programs funds have been cut by 20%. This meant that many music supplies—music sheets for the musician, score sheets for the conductor and band instruments—have also been cut. The band fundraiser raises money for things like travel to competitions, guest conductors and celebratory parties.

Sophomore Elizabeth Gregory believes her entire band experience has been amazing. “I like the music we play, and the teacher (Mr. Whitelaw),” Gregory said.

Other students believe that the band program could be handled differently.

Junior Jordyn Trader said, “If I could do anything differently I would change the music that is being played by the bands and give something more challenging to the Symphonic Band. I would have a marching band as well.”

A marching band is what many band members would like to see, but it isn’t going to be in the near future unfortunately while this budget crisis lasts.

The budget crisis of late has impacted the band program in simple ways as well. Band numbers have dropped dramatically as more students become more interested in other things and the band program doesn’t seem as interesting as it did in middle school.

With all the money that the Holiday Greenery Fundraiser makes it’s a common question as to what is being done to distribute the amount.

“I distribute the money according to what the band needs,” Whitelaw.

Whitelaw’s goal for his band program is to grow and increase the level at which the students are playing. To achieve that goal, the coming years will be filled with many expectations for both the students and Mr. Whitelaw to work hard despite this current economic crisis.