Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Orchestra. Every one of these ensembles is fed from middle school. Cut K-5 music and within five years SBHS music programs cannot fill auditioned seats.
SBHS music is one of the largest comprehensive programs in east Multnomah County. It exists because of an unbroken pipeline that starts in kindergarten. Break the pipeline at K-5 and the high school programs follow on a roughly five-year delay. This is not speculation. Districts that have cut elementary music in Oregon and Washington have seen high school music enrollment fall by 30-50% within five years. [PLACEHOLDER: cite specific district examples once we confirm sources.]