Save The Wilkes University Band Program

Comments

#403

Band is what brings me you.

Kassandra Rinker (Nanticoke, 2020-05-13)

#412

Music is vital to our lives. My son will not choose Wilkes if he has little or no access to music education or activities.

Jennifer Doran (Dallas , 2020-05-13)

#413

Two very important people in my life attend Wilkes and are in the marching band. I can’t imagine Wilkes cutting the music program, everyone is a family in the band and marching band is one of the main reasons they attend Wilkes.

Morgan Wagner (Catasauqua, 2020-05-13)

#415

My youngest sister was so excited to join her freshmen year. This is so terribly sad.

Grace Nolen (Dunmore, 2020-05-13)

#418

Music is good for the people in the ensemble and the audience, as well as the culture at large.

Ross Lankford (Elkton, 2020-05-13)

#421

Band programs are a integral part of many students lives. It's where life long friendships are formed and passions are grown. Band, for many musicians, is a safe place when the world around feels like too much to handle. I can personally say that my friends from band quite literally saved my life a few times over just by being there and providing me with a safe place to be. Music provides a way to express oneself and convey emotions when words fail us. Taking this away from students will do nothing but hurt them.

Kimberly Browna (Abington, 2020-05-13)

#423

I'm part of the band program

Kristopher Smetana (Stockholm, 2020-05-13)

#426

My friends are in band and had plans on joining this team. They deserve it.

Aidan McCarthy (Dunmore, 2020-05-13)

#428

I’m signing because band should always be offered in schools, universities included. Bands are a creative outlet that can help the stress and anxiety from studies. It also is a great opportunity to meet other musicians and build lasting relationships.

Amanda Ficca (Forty Fort, 2020-05-13)

#433

I am going to be in the marching band

Koryn Kimmel (Pine Grove, 2020-05-13)

#438

Stop being dickheads and keep the band program, bitches.

Tahnee Mitchell (Exeter, 2020-05-13)

#444

A friend plans to attend here and join the marching band

Ally Puskar (Stroudsburg, 2020-05-13)

#445

Band has been my outlet since I started playing clarinet. Everyone deserves to be able to have such a creative outlet and a bond with a group that ends up being a second family to them. Much love from MUMMB

Taylor Olszewski (Millersville, 2020-05-13)

#450

I’m this because my daughter will be a freshman there in the fall and her dream was to continue playing in a marching. Playing her clarinet s her passion and wants to continue.

Melissa Kimmel (Pine Grove, 2020-05-13)

#451

I have had the privilege of meeting the staff and many members of this marching band program as they represented Wilkes University in front of thousands of high school band members, parents, fans, and others. They also volunteered to assist with staffing at our Tournament of Bands championship events. These students and staff are nothing less than exceptional in how they represent Wilkes--and their presence helped draw interest in your university's programs and enrollment applications.
To dismantle this program would be more than sad, it would be a blow to your recruiting efforts and community outreach, and just when schools are going to need it the most!
I urge you to reconsider your decision to abandon the program by weighing all the benefits it provides!

William Morrison (Irvona, 2020-05-13)

#455

The ability to incorporate music and community together is a special aspect of being alive. It saves lives and brings people together in ways we can't imagine otherwise.

Sierra Green (Dover, 2020-05-13)

#459

I love the band. Its a second home for me and I feel part of a large family. Its also a major draw to the university and helps bring students in.

Shawnessey Koebel (Fredericksburg, 2020-05-13)

#461

As a future student at Wilkes University, I think continuing the band program is essential to give students the on campus opportunities they want

Jay’na Johnson (Towson, 2020-05-13)

#465

The arts go hand in hand with academics. The outdated thinking that arts aren't essential will bring your university down as more students will go elsewhere for a truly rounded experience.

Todd Smeltz (Lykens, 2020-05-13)

#468

Music is important!!

Nadia Costigan (Pittston, 2020-05-13)

#478

A school without music is just a collection of buildings.

Mark Seube (Williamsport , 2020-05-13)

#479

I’ve been in band my whole life. I’ve met my true friends there and it’s helped me overcome so many obstacles. Taking away band from us fellow students is like taking away caffeine from a nurse going to work with two hours of sleep. I hope you reconsider shutting down this wonderful program knowing because it means so much to feel belong like you belong and while being in band I knew I belonged

Joan Schaeffer (Shamokin , 2020-05-13)

#481

I'm an alumna (BS, Mus.Ed.), and former band member. Music must remain a creative outlet for students of all majors. Arts are part of a well-rounded education.

Sandra McNally (Philadelphia, 2020-05-13)

#486

I’m signing because you cannot rip these fine young adults’ creative outlet away from them. That isn’t how this works. Especially now, with the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19, our musically inclined friends need a place to belong to. Cutting the band program will not only damage your reputation with current students but will also deter MANY future students. This is a promise.

Gracie Orosco (Ringtown , 2020-05-13)

#488

AEA band is essential! You learn so much more than you ever could from a book and you make bonds that last a lifetime!

Lana Lou (Lock haven, 2020-05-13)

#489

I’m signing because I graduated from Wilkes in 2004 with a B.M. in Music Education. Keep the instrumental program alive!

Emily Bly (Pringle,PA, 2020-05-13)

#491

Band has always been a great place for me. Even in college I find myself relaxing at Virginia Tech when playing my instrument for the HT’s.

Colby DeSando (Dunmore, 2020-05-13)

#494

Cutting the arts is NEVER the right choice.

Dana Jackson (Scranton, 2020-05-13)

#496

I’m signing because band has played a HUGE part in my life. I played the clarinet 8 years before heading off to college. I wish I would have continued in college, but I didn’t think I’d have the time. Then, 7 years ago I volunteered to be an assistant for my younger sisters’ HS Band and have been there ever since. Now, one of my former band students is a Colonel and desperately wants to keep music in her life at college. I was excited to see that Wilkes was offering a band program in one of my alumni publications (M.S.Ed. 2015). Eliminating it so soon seems like you didn’t even give the program the chance to get going.

Rae Temple (Montgomery, 2020-05-13)

#502

I’m signing because nobody deserves to have their art taken away from them.

Emily Ghorm (Allentown, 2020-05-13)

#504

Shame on Wilkes we need band programs!

Erica Zohlmann (East Stroudsburg , 2020-05-13)

#506

Band was a huge part of my life, I dont think kids shouldn't have that opportunity. Band is a family. It should stay a family.

Tabitha Getz (Dunmore, 2020-05-13)

#511

The music program at Wilkes provided me not only a creative outlet, but also a way to meet incredible people (composer Mark Camphouse, Col. Thomas Palmatier of the US Army Band, and many more), become a confident leader (music librarian, section leader, and drum major), become a role model for high school students... The list can go on and on!

The Wilkes University band program alone has been recognized countless times by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, ans was even asked to perform during the state conference in 2016 (an EXTREME privilege and honor for everyone involved). Wilkes also had the amazing and unique opportunity to host the 72nd Intercollegiate Band Festival in 2019.

In short, the band program at Wilkes University was only growing and flourishing back into its previous glory-- before the last budget cuts that left the school without a Music Major... Please, keep music in our University! Alumni will do whatever it takes to keep such an amazing program on it's feet!!

Autumn Peck (Shamokin, 2020-05-13)

#515

I was in the marching band. It’s a great experience and an amazing way to make friends

Janeen Percival (Nanticoke, 2020-05-13)

#517

The arts provide experiences to students that cannot be replicated in any other way. These students deserve to have music be in their lives.

Scott Snyder (Columbus, OH, 2020-05-13)

#518

While not part of the band directly, some of my best friends through my time at Wilkes were deeply involved and loved the Band dearly. Knowing how much it meant to them and everyone else in the program shows, beyond anything else, the impact it had on students time with the University, and their lives as a whole.

Kyle Snyder-Strawser (Lewisburg, 2020-05-13)

#525

I’m signing because I am a marching band member myself. I currently am attending Kutztown university and I graduated from Dallas high school in 2017. Most of my friends and family went to Wilkes university and played in the marching band. The marching band is a safe haven for people who can’t speak to others. The band is more important then anything and if that goes, so does everyone’s spirit

Rachael Sarley (Shavertown, 2020-05-13)

#527

Marching Band, and all music programs, are a detrimental part of development for students who chose to take part in it. I have been in marching band since my freshman year in high school and continue in college. Ripping away this program may save you a few dollars but it is taking a major part of a group of your students away. Marching band isn’t just a program it is a family and often an outlet for students to have fun while also learning valuable life skills.

Zoey Hockenbroch (Coal Township, 2020-05-13)

#528

Susan Cleary

Susan Cleary (Cherry Hill, 2020-05-13)

#529

Band has always been a huge part of my life.

Alyssa Johnson (Lincoln, 2020-05-13)

#530

سلام بام داد عزیز تشکر از این که در فکر مردم فارسی زبان هستن من واقعا خیلی زیاد در تئوری مشکلی زیاد دارم من چهار بار امتحان تئوری دادم به زبان المان اما نتوانستم که کامیاب شوم چراکه برایم خیلی مشکل است من ازاینکه گواینامه ندارم منکن است که کارم را از دست بدهم و خواهش میکنم از وزیرراه که به این مشکلی ماه فارسی زبانان رسیدگی کند

Hayder Norouzi (Heilbronn, 2020-05-13)

#534

Access to a music program helped me develop my leadership skills, confindence, and time management while in school. Other students need access to the same opportunities.

Nancy Ortiz (Tonawanda, 2020-05-13)

#535

I’m signing because I am a Wilkes alum (class of 2007) and was a music major until I was forced out of the program due to the school
Eliminating the major. Music is essential and needs to be a continued art taught at all educational levels.

Chris Lucas (New York, 2020-05-13)

#536

As an inaugural member of the marching band in 2014, I sacrificed to grow this program. It was going no where but up and the university cannot claim to care about arts while it continues to cut them.

Erin Reese (Spring Brook Twp, 2020-05-13)

#537

Instrumental music is a fundamental program in many students lives and should not be cut.

Joseph Luna (Davison, 2020-05-13)

#539

Music and the arts are a vital aspect of life. Do not cut something as magical as the band program!

Katie A (Washington DC , 2020-05-13)

#542

im signing this penguin for the dunmore bucks

kylee gyuriska (dunmore , 2020-05-13)

#543

Everyone deserves an outlet and band may be some people’s only outlet.

Desirae Mattis (Mount Carmel , 2020-05-13)

#544

music is good for the soul

Aprile Goehring (Auburn, 2020-05-13)

#545

My cousin will be starting in the fall and has joined the band. Music is an integral part of our culture and learning.

Geriann Slodysko (Hughestown , 2020-05-13)

#546

Please continue to support the band (and all music) programs at Wilkes. The program develops discipline and skill, as well as lifelong friendships and Wilkes Spirit!

Lee Thomas (Shavertown, PA, 2020-05-13)

#547

music education of any sort is incredibly valuable to students. To have a band program disbanded is doing a discredit to the university students.

Ashley Firestine (Minersville, 2020-05-13)

#552

Wilkes at one time was proud to have one of the finest music education departments of its size in the Northeast united States. However, the mismanagement within the department, and shifting priorities of the college decimated the music program. Wilkes University, and Wyoming Valley in general, used to value liberal arts. I'm deeply saddened by Wilkes' decision.

Thomas Frew (Milan, 2020-05-13)

#554

I believe it is a mistake to cut the band program. Many successful students come from programs participate in programs such as band.

David Orlando (East Stroudsburg, 2020-05-13)

#555

Music may not always be fiscally worth it, but the cultural worth it brings should not be sacrificed just because of this. Please reconsider, for the sake of the beauty it brings to the campus.

Peter Orlando (Lititz , 2020-05-13)

#557

My daughter is a cheerleader at Wilkes and the band is a wonderful asset. Music, period, is a wonderful gift and Wilkes should be helping these students enhance their abilities

Viki Makaravage (Larksville , 2020-05-13)

#561

A music learning and performance opportunity is a vital part of a college education, and of life in general.

Marta Oberlin (Analomink, 2020-05-13)

#563

The arts are essential to a well rounded education.

Andres Garcia (Pullman, 2020-05-13)

#568

When I was looking for colleges to attend in the fall of 2012, Wilkes University was my top choice as it showed itself as a true to self, private, close knit community of students that helped you embrace your individuality. I was disappointed when i realized after my acceptance that the school did not have a marching band, as my high school and many other colleges had. My junior year at Wilkes we were finally given what we wanted, our Marching Colonels. And it was then that I had finally found my space in this school that I wanted to be a apart of so badly. 3 years, it took me to find my space, And I am not a introvert, or antisocial at all. Music is a creative outlet that is so important to so many people. Something we are taught our whole lives, growing up with band ensembles. College is not the appropriate time to deny someone of that creative outlet. For any students it wis a very stressful time, being out on their own in the world. Don’t take their peace away.

Katie Lawlor (Allentown, Pa, 2020-05-13)

#569

I was a music major a Wilkes and a successful band director for 40 years. What are you thinking?!

Deborah Sfraga (Highlands, 2020-05-13)

#570

Music programs are an integral part of University culture

Sydney Hosfeld (Huntington, 2020-05-13)

#571

My daughter attended Wilkes University and always enjoyed the band! Please don’t take music from this wonderful University

Lisa Brown (Perry Hall, 2020-05-13)

#572

Band needs to stay

Bailey Karst (West Chester, 2020-05-13)

#574

My son currently goes to Wilkes and is very active in the band program. The band program gives him an outlet to destress from the academics.

Diane Gaudio (Morris Plains, 2020-05-13)

#581

Band has been a huge part of my life! For some it is a luxury, for others it’s a reason to live. I’ve worked with many high school and university bands over the years. Please allow the students to continue to make music!

Josh Mountz (Lebanon , 2020-05-13)

#586

Music programs are important to our lives!

Elizabeth Connell (Wilkes Barre , 2020-05-13)

#591

I am an alumni of Wilkes and although I wasn’t it band I know it’s an important program to others

Katie Beeler (Neptune, 2020-05-13)

#593

Madison Miller is my granddaughter and music is important to her. Band is an enjoyable stress outlet and should not be sacrificed.

Patricia Miller (Muncy, PA, 2020-05-13)

#599

I’m signing because a band program changes lives. It gives students a safe space to be creative and express themselves freely. Everyone should have the chance to experience a band program.

Becky Donnelly (Westmont, 2020-05-13)