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Pageant of Bands

Pageant of Bands - A Thing of the Past

By Bea McManis

The Batavia Board of Education has put a lid on one of the most colorful events the city of Batavia hosts each year.

The Board cites the concern for the cost to other schools to bus their bands to Batavia for the three day event.  They cite concerns for the boosters who put in hours raising money for this event and for their participation during the event.  They replaced it with a poorly advertised Jazz competition which was already held.

I wonder if the Board will take those same concerns into consideration when it comes to sporting events.  The cost to the Board for the use of the stadium; the transportation costs incurred by other schools to bring teams here; the hours the sports' boosters log to support the team.

The Music program deserves better.  The children who studied under Neil Hartwick and Ken Hay received a life-long skill.  They have the ability to use that skill well into their golden age.  How many, on the football field, can say the same thing?  They deserve a showcase for their talent. 

How many readers remember marching in the Pageant of Bands?

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