Scenes like this could disappear if the province has its way with the Vancouver School Board.

Last night on the news I saw coverage of band students playing a concert outside of the Vancouver School Board (VSB) offices, which for me really brought home the debate that is being waged right now between the BC Government and VSB.

Yes, I know that 190 full-time positions are on the chopping block.  But as a former member of a school strings program, and someone who continues to play music today, the prospect of losing all of the strings and band programs in the city is extremely troubling.

The gift of a music education to a child has immeasurable benefits.  Off the top of my head, I can name discipline, confidence, expansion of horizons, improved school performance, stress relief, fun, a sense of achievement, and improved self-esteem as some of the most tangible benefits that a child receives from learning music (although this list is much more comprehensive and has some amazing facts and figures).

I was fortunate enough to begin music outside of school, and enhanced my education through band in elementary and orchestra in high school.  But to many families, these school programs are the only access they have to offer their children the opportunity to play a musical instrument.

Anyways, this issue is about much more than band and string programs, so I shouldn’t get to caught up on this particular point.  I am willing to direct the full weight of my anger towards both Margaret MacDiarmid and lone NPA councillor Suzanne Anton, who in particular has shown how once again, politics trumps principle.

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