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Parents, students press Wallingford board to restore middle‑school ensembles
Summary
Multiple parents and students urged the Wallingford Board of Education to restore regular middle‑school ensemble rehearsal time after testimony about declining program enrollment; administrators said they are working on schedules and reported current middle‑school participation numbers.
Parents and student representatives told the Wallingford Board of Education on Sept. 23 that stronger ensemble rehearsal time is essential to maintaining school music programs.
"If you look at any solid program across the state...those programs include ensembles," said a parent, Brian Cyr, who described declining enrollment between grades 6 and 9 and urged the district to present "concrete steps" that are being taken now to address the drop‑off.
Another parent, Katie Salzo, described the importance of ensemble rehearsals to her children: "It's really important for the kids to be able to play all together and make that music together," she said, urging support for opportunities where the entire band can convene.
Assistant Superintendent Latour responded that district staff discussed ensemble options over the summer with elementary and middle‑school music teachers and are working on schedules. Latour gave current participation figures for both middle schools: "For DAG, we have 34 band students, 91 chorus students and 71 string students. At Moran Middle School, we have 53 band, 83 chorus and 56 string students," she said, and added that administrators are exploring when they can pull groups together to provide ensemble rehearsal time.
Parents told the board they want follow‑up and accountability: speakers asked the central office to report back with concrete scheduling decisions and timelines so ensemble opportunities are not only promised but implemented.
Next steps: administrators said they will continue working with middle‑school staff on feasible schedules and will share plans with school administrators and the board when available.
