Gary Maheu

To the editor,

I'm deeply saddened to know that our school system would even give thought to eliminating the band departments at our elementary schools. There is no doubt that children who become interested in the band at an early age will continue to be involved and in most cases go on to positive roles in the future. This is the age to get students involved in such a constructive activity. If this opportunity is not available to them early on, this will decrease their chances of being involved later in their scholastic years.

We are reading in the local papers of how our children are using drugs and alcohol at a very early age and in many cases experimenting before the age of thirteen. Our school board is scrambling to come up with constructive ideas and options for our children so they do not go down this path. In-turn our school board decides to cut one of the only programs that has a proven record of helping to keep children away from these negative activities. This is not to say that the band is the complete answer, though there is no doubt that it is a major benefit to those that get involved early on.

I was a member of the school band at Elm Street School back in the early '80s and continued on to the middle school band where I picked up my second instrument. Throughout high school I played music on a daily basis and was involved in playing in a band at several of the schools talent shows and at other venues around the area.

I'm 33 years old and continue to play and produce music everyday. I've played music all around the country since graduating high school and I now play several different instruments. I can't explain how great the positive impact that this art form has had on my life.

I know this continues to be true as well for many of the friends that I gained during those critical school years as they, too, continue to produce music. If band was not available to me during those years in grade school there's no telling what would have happened. Not being particularly interested in sports, there were not a lot of extra curricular options for me.

As a taxpayer and musician here in Laconia I want to see some of my money go towards continuing to produce individuals interested in this amazing art form. I am willing to do whatever it takes to not let this program be cut from our school system. Please speak out against this cut and drop me a line if you are interested in seeing that this does not occur. My e-mail address is gmaheu@metrocast.net.

Gary Maheu

Laconia