VMA - Statement of Support for Grade 7 Band in BC Public Schools
Posted May 15, 2025 by
The Vancouver Musicians’ Association stands in solidarity with BC public school music teachers, students, and parents in opposing the proposed multi-district cuts to Grade 7 Band programs, for the following reasons (and more):
1) The value of music education in supporting students’ cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional well-being cannot be overstated.
2) In BC, most private schools offer a robust Band curriculum beginning in Grade 6 — eliminating elementary Band in public schools is yet another large step toward the stratification of our education system… and yet another large step away from a just, equal-opportunity, upwardly-mobile society.
3) Many of our members are passionate and accomplished contributors to our society whose livelihoods will be compromised by these proposed cuts. These include music educators, music store proprietors/employees, instrument repair technicians, performing artists, composers, and arts administrators. These cuts have potential to result in far-reaching economic harm on the local, provincial, and national levels.
4) Music programs are often treated as ‘extra’ or ‘non-core’ elements of our education system, but the numbers tell us that the music industry is a significant (and growing) contributor to the Canadian economy. In 2023 alone, the live music sector alone contributed $10.92 billion to Canada's GDP; digital music streaming revenues reached $775 million; the live music industry supported over 101,640 full-time equivalent jobs; and music publisher members in Canada reported $289 million in revenue, an annual average increase of 5.6% since 2016. These cuts to BC music education will cause long-term damage to the Canadian music industry, and to the economy as a whole.
5) BC has historically been a disproportionately large contributor to Canadian musical culture. As a direct result of our robust public music education system, our province has produced countless global superstars — Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Diana Krall for starters — as well as countless accomplished music professionals of all types. Cuts to BC public school music education will inevitably negatively impact BC’s cultural importance, influence and visibility on the world stage.
The Vancouver Musicians’ Association hereby commits to engaging in political, economic, and social advocacy in opposition to the cuts, and will pursue conversations around this issue through a wide range of available avenues.
Yours in solidarity,
The VMA Board & Staff