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While sitting in traffic for my second time today as I headed home after a hellish commute into Boston for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees’ Day on the Hill (more on that later), I switched the radio to 980 AM as I reached 128—just in time to hear the hosts interview LHS Band Director Brandon Clark and students Andrew Howe and Emily Anstey. They were discussing the band’s performance in the concert festival in Virginia last week where Lowell High School won Best of Show and Best Concert Band in their division, duplicating the band’s wins two years ago in Montreal. Aside from the many callers, including parents and fellow band students, such as Cory—who called first as himself and then later as “Marguerite,” the group talked about the commitment and benefits of being part of the band family. Mr. Clark, who became the director in 1999, explained how the band program has grown during his tenure from about 20 students to more than 70 today. As a music lover, parent, and member of the school committee, it was immensely gratifying to hear the enthusiasm and energy in their young voices as well as the gratitude and respect they have for their band director. For his part, Mr. Clark made a point of sharing kudos with the many excellent music teachers throughout the district as well as thanking the school department and the committee for supporting the program. Clearly music, like art, theatre, athletics, and other programs outside the standard classroom play major roles in engaging our children in their education. Unfortunately, these programs are often at risk during lean budget times, making today’s radio spotlight that much more signficant. (For a video on the competition, see Dick Howe’s post from last week.)