In 2016, the Vancouver School Board cut the band and strings music programs from all elementary schools across the district as the result of budget cuts. This was done in attempt to save about $400,000 from an expected $24 million shortfall in the budget.
I am a graduating Computer Science student at the University of British Columbia, who grew up heavily involved in the music ensembles at both General Wolfe Elementary and Lord Byng Secondary. What the VSB doesn’t realize is that music programs do a lot more than just teaching a new skill. With this article, I hope to give insight on how much impact music in a child’s life can bring, using my own life as an example.