Triton Marching Band Speaks Out on Cuts

RUNNEMEDE – With their backs against the wall and significant funding in jeopardy, marching band members and parents gathered en masse at the Black Horse Pike Regional School District board meeting on Thursday at Triton Regional High School to give an emotional plea to keep their program intact. 

After rumors surfaced that all three district high school programs were being cut—at Triton, Highland and Timber Creek—the Triton Band Association responded by assembling about 100 of their faithful to demonstrate against the move. They also offered the board any assistance they could provide to keep the music alive here in Gloucester Township. 

"The music programs are an important part of our curriculum … of our society," said Triton Band Association President Ray Evans. "In my mind and in the minds of those (here), this is not a program that needs to be cut." 

Superintendent John Golden confirmed the district is seeking to reduce the district band budget by 25 percent, down to approximately $77,000 for the 2011-12 school year. The move is part of 25 percent cuts being made in several areas in an attempt to pare down the $67.4 million district budget. 

This would mark the second consecutive year the band budget decreased by more than 20 percent, from a high of $132,000 in 2009-10. The three programs combined support about 120 students. 

Over the last 11 years, BHPRSD has produced a champion in the multi-state Tournament of Bands competition nine times—six from Triton and three from Highland. And just last year, Timber Creek’s drumline ranked first in their class at the Winter Guard International’s World Championships. 

Evans, who heads the nonprofit fundraising arm of Triton’s band through the band association, explained that any reduction would seriously impact the group's ability to transport the students to competitive venues, which are a significant piece of the overall experience. He noted these kids need to be competitive, they need to be challenged. 

"It’s like taking a football team and telling them they are only going to scrimmage," Evans said, adding later that "for them to come and just play pep music on the bleachers, that would be a major letdown." 

Stepping up to address the board, Triton senior Nicole Schiavone remarked on what an important aspect of her high school career the band had become, having helped her find herself as she found her way to becoming valedictorian of her class. She will be heading to Princeton in the fall. 

"I would be completely devastated if I came back and this band was anything less than it was when I left," Schiavone said. "The marching band was a major part of my success." 

Another senior, Nick Gonzalez, could not hold back tears as he told the board how he had finally found a place of unconditional acceptance. 

"Basically it made my high school so much better. The feeling I had every time I played and every time I performed," Gonzalez said. "Especially since when I came to high school I had no friends … it was like a hand reached out to me." 

Board President Dr. Joyce Ellis, a former percussion player herself, attempted to assuage the fears of the crowd by explaining that no decision has been finalized. Only hours before the meeting, band directors and the superintendent had met to try and work out a deal. Negotiations at this point are ongoing. 

The budget is still under review after being narrowly defeated by voters back in April. A 1.5 percent budget increase was struck down that would have cost the average taxpayer about $31 more for the year. 

"Nobody is going to make a rash decision, rest assured," Ellis said. "(The program) is not just going to be lopped off like an arm." 

For their part, Evans reiterated the Triton Band Association’s desire to be a partner in the process. Without their fundraising, without the cupcakes and the clothing drives and the coupon books, the marching band would have a hard time remaining solvent. 

According to Evans, "We are not going to sit on the sidelines and wait for a decision to be made."