Protect the Future of Derry's Music Department

Music is an essential part of a child’s life it helps to build character and confidence!

go junairs!!!!

STEAM is supposed to be a a priority in Derry Area Schools. The “A” does stand for Arts. How can a depleted Arts Program be maintained when the staff continues to be decimated each time there is a retirement? As a former school administrator, I feel this is unconscionable!

As a former Derry student music was and is still a big part of my life. Theses classes help kids find themselves in ways other things could not. If you get rid of the music program you're screwing over so many students and ending a legendary music program.

Music is important to all.....

Music education unequivocally made a positive impact on my education and future careers as a physician. It would be a tragic error for my alma matter to ignore published data on the broad reaching benefits of music education and fail to fully fund music education in the school. Derry Area ‘90

Music and other fine arts programs are vital to the social development of our students.

Derry Area School has been known far and wide for its excellent music department. I remember a time when the broadway musicals started, bus loads of students from other schools came to see them. There have been students over the years that have told their music teachers that the only reason they stayed in school was because of music. On the teacher side, it appears that the school board and administration has no concern for their teachers who now have to work to exhaustion to try to keep up a program that once had nine faculty and is now down to five. Shame on you.

This seems to be the trend now , when one emloyee retires the district just distributes their work load to the others. This eventually leads to an over stressed workforce that will a produce a faulty product . In education we do not want faulty products, we want happy, well adjusted, and well rounded students.

I think we should save the music program because it helps our students a lot in a lot of ways.

As a 2017 grad I’d hate to see the music department go down any further than it has been or it was to be taken away fully. Music seemed to bring light to the school. I was in all choir groups except ensemble and in marching/concert band.

These programs are important to our youth!

Music is a natural part of life, of living!! We need to keep the music alive at Derry!!!

I enjoyed participating in the school’s chorus and band for over half the time I spent in my 12 year education at Derry. Children need the exposure to arts. Please keep musical and visual arts higher on your priority list!

Music is a vital part of life and education. It give you a better perspective on the beauty that surrounds you

Keep your music and athletic programs strong.

It’s so important to keep the arts in the school. DownsIzing hopefully is not the only option.

I have many fond memories of the music program at Derry. Every students has different talents/ abilities and by reducing/ eliminating these programs, you decrease a child's opportunity to succeed. There is scientific evidence that music benefits children socially, emotionally, and academically. To continue to cut music education would create lasting effects across the entirety of your education process.

Music is a vital part of students’ learning and sometimes the only place students find their place.

Hope they reconsider. The music and art departments are just as important as the sports aspect and each child has a different nitch in life. There is not enough in any school currently to keep kids interest in education, reducing staff and combining is not the answer Derry!