On the evening of March 30th, The Souderton Area School Board Finance Committee announced its list of proposed cuts in response to budget cuts imposed by the state. One of the proposals by the Finance Committee appears below: Reduce/eliminate Some Music Programs – 3rd & 4th Strings, $84,867; 4th and 5th String and Instrumental, $172,310; Secondary Music, $26,710. Excellence in music has always been a source of pride for the Souderton Area School District and its community members. A strong elementary and middle school music program helps to instill an understanding and appreciation of music in students. This appreciation of music continues to progress throughout their school careers. At the high school level, many students in chorus, band, and orchestra successfully compete and place at the district, regional, state, and all-eastern levels. Students who participate in music programs develop critical thinking skills, learn to become creative problem solvers, and achieve in other academic subjects like reading, math, and science. Music helps students stay engaged in school and less likely to drop out. In addition, participating in a musical group helps students to develop a sense of community. According to 93 percent of people in a recent Harris Poll, "the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children." If you value music instruction in the Souderton Area School District and DO NOT wish to see music programs reduced and/or eliminated, please consider signing this petition to make your opinion known to the members of the Souderton Area School Board. Please also consider sending the link for this petition to others and/or posting the link on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media for which you may have an account.