Marching band season kicks off strong

BOWLING GREEN Ky.-Summer for school musicians means one big thing. Marching band season is here.

High schools musicians  everywhere pick up their instruments and play them on the move to get ready for competitions. The programs sometime faces major obstacles, such as funding, and support of the arts.

Director of bands at Warren East High School Johnathan Cline said the young musicians would be missing out on a lot without these programs.

“Participation in music education helps increase student knowledge and comprehension in other subjects. Cutting these programs or taking away funding for them is an unfortunate reality that we live in,” Clines said.

The marching band programs leave lasting impressions on the students as well.

“I feel like this helps some kids who may not fit in anywhere else. I know I didn’t necessarily, but this has been a family that loves me, and I love them. It’s been amazing,” rising senior at Warren East High Dakota Watt said.

“I just love music so much that I wanted to do another thing with music instead of just concert band. I wanted to do everything,” rising junior at Warren East High Rachelle Elkles said.

It takes a lot of money and resources to keep a marching band program going strong. For that reason, bands are often involved fundraising and community events.

Like other music educators across the state, Cline has watched funding for music programs decline but said he’s thankful for support from his administration to keep the marching band program moving.

“I do have support from my administrators that they give me opportunities to promote my program.”

Opportunities that will build up these young musicians, step by step

“There’s something magical about seeing students really pushing through adversity, working hard and working together,” Cline said.