A significant decline in the number of students participating in band at Tiverton High School — from 50 a few years ago to only 15 as the new school year approaches — has brought supporters of the program together to brainstorm ways to reverse the trend. Failure to act now, some fear, means the program could one day disappear entirely.

Ken Carlisle, a band parent and treasurer of the community group Tempo (Tiverton Encourages Music Participation Organization) told the school committee earlier this month that while the the band has been a welcome presence at various community celebrations and football games in the past year, the new school year is expected to look far different because of dwindling numbers. 

He said when Tempo surveyed families, many pointed to scheduling challenges as the reason behind lower student participation in performing groups. Music program directors at several high schools comparable in size to THS echoed that sentiment.

“Everybody is in the same predicament,” Carlisle said. “They are all losing band members like crazy. It’s all [attributed to] scheduling. That’s what I’m hearing.”

However, principal Susan Craven told committee members that scheduling is not the only reason for lower turnout. Some former band members, when questioned, said they have simply lost interest. Rather than being part of musical performances outside of school, they prefer spending their time at football games or hanging out with friends, she said.

Craven said high school officials are looking closely at finding creative ways to encourage more participation in band. When the school eliminated the mandatory marching band component for next year, for example, she said band enrollment ticked up slightly.

She noted, too, that while band participation is down, “music is not dying here.” Of 453 students enrolled at the high school, 137 are signed up for various music classes next year, including offerings such as piano and the History of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

RIDE’s new rules not helping?

Some educators say scheduling is more challenging than ever, thanks to updated statewide graduation requirements mandated by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).

The new rules, intended to better prepare students for college, require proficiency in courses such as civics, computer science, financial literacy, as well as the arts. The requirements, some say, give students less flexibility in day-to-day schedules and their selection of electives.

Olivia Smith, Executive Associate at RIDE, told Carlisle that she has heard from many schools that the RIDE requirements are driving students out of music, but she believes such a perception is a misinterpretation of the new mandates.

Implying that the arts are not getting short shrift, Smith said, “RIDE’s updated regulations (which take effect for the graduating class of 2028) intentionally aim to clarify ... that all students must earn, at minimum, .5 credits in art to graduate high school.” 

Carlisle hopes to get RIDE officials and representatives from other schools together in September to continue the conversation.

“There is concern in the music community out there that if we don’t do anything, band will disappear,” he said.

School committee reactions

Several school committee members spoke of their own children’s positive experiences with school-based music programs, and they referenced the long-recognized benefits of band participation, which experts say positively impacts areas such as brain development, math skills, social connections, team-building skills, and community involvement. 

“I’m worried,” said vice chairwoman Elaine Pavao. “We have our athletes. We have our academic kids, and we have kids who are neither of those. But they flow into a band. They are part of a band family. And that’s their niche.”

Committee members also discussed the complexity of building high school master schedules in an era when students must choose from an ever-increasing array of options.

“The high school has greatly expanded its offerings for AP classes, for CTE and related and non-related electives,” added Diane Farnworth. “At this point, unless we can figure out a way to make this work, we are knowingly saying that band doesn’t matter, because all of these other things are far too important. Making sure this doesn’t conflict with AP is a very important piece.”

“It would be a really sad thing if we allowed this to die.”