Embedded Files
Written by Maya Villemaire
March 2023
When Alison “Ali” Messer, a freshman as well as saxophonist for the Springfield High School band, realized that the SHS music program was in danger, she was “disappointed.” She had been playing saxophone in school bands for almost five years.
Messer was extremely saddened hearing that one of her hobbies could be terminated. Because her mother had been in the marching band, Messer also felt as if her participation in the school band program was like carrying on a legacy. Her being a part of the band sparked a sense of pride–Cosmos pride, as well as her own. She carried a lot of weight on her shoulders, a statement referring to the fact that she was the band’s only saxophonist, a job that under normal circumstances is shared by five people.
Messer enjoys being a member of Wind Ensemble, but has a common complaint. “It’s really small,” she said. “I find it sad how we have a huge school and such a small band.”
She is trying to improve upon issues the band faces, such as the aforementioned lack of people, by starting up a recruitment campaign. Messer has put up posters around the school that list off the perks of joining the band, using the classic “we want you” Uncle Sam heading. She, along with SHS music teacher Jim Chlebak, and a few other members of the band, plans to continue efforts to bring up membership numbers.
As Messer’s activism suggests, as of late, a spotlight has been on the fading music program at Springfield High School. There has been much concern for enrollment numbers in classes like band, drum class, and chorus, or the lack thereof. In fact, some have suggested cutting the entire program if something isn’t done to get more student musicians into high school music classes.
Alison Messer
Years ago, the SHS band, presently known as Wind Ensemble, filled the school’s music room to the point of overflow. Now, its membership is five. The chorus group, Madrigal Singers, also has five students, and Drum Class has eight.
Jim Chlebak, the music director at both Springfield High School and Union Street School, called this loss of students a “linear decline” rather than exponential. He believes that this decline has become more harsh in recent years, partially due to what seems to be the villain of many stories these days: the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chlebak explained that students would usually start playing instruments in the 5th grade. Due to the pandemic, at least two year’s worth of Springfield students were unable to begin their music career in this manner. He thinks that this absence of musicians in the student population is finally beginning to catch up with the high school, as the current 8th grade class represents the last to begin the Union Street Band program before the pandemic hit.
As for other reasons why there is a lack of students in the music program, Chlebak believes that students have been seeking out electives that take less effort to complete. They have opted for more conventional classes. “It [music] is a lot of reward for a lot of effort,” Chlebak said, adding that though music classes take more commitment, the end result is worth the hard work.
Jim Chlebak
To encourage enrollment in music, Chlebak suggests “more school events where music is prevalent.” However, he adds that a simple spreading of the word won’t save the music program and it’s likely that the program may perish in the next few years, “unless there is an administration decision to keep music,” according to Chlebak.
Messer believes that other than numbers, what is needed to save the program is a work ethic. In other words, students are needed who show commitment, time, and effort. At the end of the day, Messer feels that the only thing that can save the music program is the musicians.
So in the next few years, if the goals aren’t met, and the enrollment numbers aren’t produced, will the music program in Springfield schools meet its end? Unfortunately, the answer may be yes. When budgets must be cut, as shown nationally, the arts are often first on the chopping block, and Springfield’s arts are inching closer and closer to the blade.
In Chebak’s words, “there must be a schoolwide commitment, even districtwide,” to continue making music in Springfield schools. Otherwise, the curtain will drop and the music may stop.
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