Support Your Local School’s Music Program

On Saturday night, I was one of hundreds of spectators at the USBands competition at the Dartmouth High School football stadium.   The chill of a cold October evening was erased by the 10 Southeastern New England school marching bands, color guard and drum-line performances.    From the Blue Raiders of Somerset-Berkley Regional High School, to the Shamrocks from Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, to the Dartmouth High School Indians, the presentations were amazing.

These young musicians not only work hard to develop their own talents, but experience the teamwork of something much larger.    When I was in school, it was taken for granted that music and sports programs would always be there for us to take advantage of.  In this day and age that is no longer the case.   Budget cuts from the state and local levels have left the survival of these programs to rely on fund-raising.   This weekend a 2012 Kia Soul, donated by Joe's Auto Mall Kia of Swansea was given away in a  raffle to support the Dartmouth High Marching Band.

The band is the pride of the community, having won numerous awards.   The other 9 bands who performed at this event are outstanding as well.   Whether you volunteer your time to help with fund-raising, or make a donation, you time and money is well spent in supporting school music programs.