Last week, the administration at my old high school decided to fire my band directors, a husband and wife team, after 26 plus years of dedicated service to the snobby, screwed up, overly boastful private school. That’s right, Jackson Academy, I’m talking about you.

As an alumni of the band program and of the school, I was extremely disheartened to hear this news. There was no formal statement released, no explanation. I read about it in an alumni’s Facebook post who was just as upset as I was. Upon talking to my director, I found out the news was true. I had to fight the urge to jump in my car and drive to the administration’s office to look them in the face and explain what a terrible mistake they were making. I couldn't find the words to accurately describe the mix of emotions I felt, especially when I learned they were released for no good reason just weeks before school was over. The students in the program now haven’t even had their annual spring concert and are unsure of the program’s future. How could an administration that claims to care about its students and their success take a program out from under their feet without any warning? One director, Mr. Carter, was named Star Teacher just last year. I wouldn’t call that grounds for removal.

You may be wondering why this is such a big deal after I’ve been gone for four years. So, let me explain why. My band directors made that program what it is today and gave it the outstanding reputation it has now. They took bands that were literally all of twenty or thirty people to national competitions, beating out bands twice their size several times for titles with killer, non-traditional show designs. There aren’t many bands around Mississippi that can say they’ve done that on a national level, not thirteen times. My directors took the hand full of hard working students and the small budget they had and made it into something that is one of the few jewels in Jackson Academy’s crown. They didn’t always get along with the administration but they fought for their program with the students’ best interest in mind. They were mentors, adopted parents of sorts, to nearly all of us in the band. I know several alumni who would agree with me on that.

Before I joined the band my freshman year, I didn’t think I would ever find a place where I fit in at a school where I was so different from every other kid. I tried show choir and didn’t really enjoy all that; I tried the junior high dance team and didn’t enjoy that either; I couldn’t take art classes because of the way our elective system worked. I was in dance classes outside school and loved that, which wound up being my ticket into the band. It was intimidating at first but I grew to love it the more I got involved and learned how things worked. The people in the band were truly like a family; we made tons of memories together, some good and some kind of scary. But I wouldn’t trade those for anything in this world. Band gave me a home, a place I felt I belonged, and something I loved and took pride in. It’s a big part of who I've become.

Band is more than a family though. It’s a serious discipline that teaches every student hard work, dedication, and so many other things that carry over into everyday life. Mr. Carter’s band was no different. If anything, I’d say his program drilled those things into your head. You knew not to be late to rehearsals, not to play around when it was time to be serious, to listen to and respect those who were talking to you, that there is always room for improvement and that hard work is rewarded. These are lessons that I know I’ve carried with me to college and will continue to as long as I live. I wouldn’t have been as successful in USM’s band if I hadn’t had the Carters. They continued to support and encourage me well after I graduated. JA also has quite a few alumni that are out in the world being successful teaching and participating in band and guard alike. Several of them were guard captains at USM before I was.

Jackson Academy’s band program is a vital part of student life, it even says so on the band’s page; they play at pep rallies, the Feature Pageant, local events, and whatever else they’re called to do. Removing them will not only affect the students involved but every student who goes to JA and that sense of school spirit you say is such an "integral part" of student life. I can’t imagine my time in high school without band. It just wouldn’t be the same; band is a part of the stereotypical high school experience in some way or another. Taking that away from future students will greatly impact their high school experience.

The thing that makes this especially disturbing is that it seems like an attempt to erase the band program completely. Without the Carters at the school to fight for the program, I feel it is going to die. Music is an important part of education, especially for a school that boasts this superior education and endless opportunities for its students. The visual arts offer many students a chance to find their passion, something they love and could very well make a career out of. Cutting this program out in favor of others that are supposedly more successful is unfair to the students currently and potentially in the program. Not to mention, calling the program unsuccessful and not worth the money is absolutely false. That is some kind of blind and ignorant delusion.

Football may be what most of the students want to do because they think band is “lame” and football is “cool.” But that’s a load of bunk, too. To think the band will be gone in favor of an average football team fills me with a rage I can’t describe. How many players have gone on to be successful college or professional athletes when compared to successful band alumni? How many national titles does the football team have? Sure, it has state titles but does it have national recognition? Not to my knowledge. I sat through many a football game watching the same twelve or so guys play while the other eighty team members stood on the side watching. No joke.

I can also tell you the band’s accomplishments always came in second behind whatever else went on, even if it was something significant. We knew what we accomplished and were proud of it, so I guess that’s what matters. If you ask me, the successful programs, *cough cough band* should be left in place in favor of lesser successful programs that cost an arm and a leg, even if we’re competing with the show choir. That program is great but it hasn’t been in place nearly as long as the band. Ridding the school of long-lasting and continually successful programs will damage the school’s quality; it may make or a break a student’s decision to enroll at JA.

I get trying to save money, that’s every college kid’s past time. But I would argue that more money should be put into successful programs so they can continue to grow. If not, redistribute funds more evenly, giving each program a fighting chance. For a school with the slogan, “All For One,” they sure aren’t fighting for everyone and every program.

When I was still in JA’s band, one of the coaches called the band the hardest working group on campus. I wouldn’t argue with that, it was a huge compliment, especially coming from a football coach. It made us feel like somebody actually noticed what we were doing. People I’ve met in my time at USM have jokingly called me a celebrity when they found out which high school band I came from. They were impressed by the quality of our band for its small size. I wouldn’t say a program with that reputation should be removed.

To any JA administration who may be reading this: I'm not writing this for myself. I'm writing for the students I know who are still in your program and deserve to stay in the program they love. I'm writing for the Carters who were a blessing to your band program. Don’t get rid of perfectly good programs and directors that benefit more students than it hurts. Once I finally escaped your school, I decided I’d never give any money back to you. Now, I will never reconsider this decision unless my money goes directly to the band program. For a school that runs on tuition and donations, the administration should really think twice about that one. The arts matter, band matters just like show choir, visual art, etc. As a school that supposedly provides a high-quality education, you should take a good, long look at your campus through clear eyes and see which of your programs are truly successful.

Just because I love this picture and this group of people. Taken right after we performed as the Class A champion exhibition group. The crowd gave us standing ovations after each song we played. Pretty sure we were still all riding that adrenaline rush at this point. Having a crowd appreciate your work and cheer you on is a high you always remember and the experience is one you always cherish.