Blue Valley district is saying that they need to cut down the 5th Grade orchestra because of a lack of money. 

5th grade is the most crucial year of learning orchestra. It is the first year, and the year you learn all the notes, and all the strings.

Although, sure, you can learn it in 6th grade, that also means a lot of things.  

1.  “Orchestra is not a ‘dying’ program in our district. It is growing. We have so many students enrolled that we’ve already had to adjust concerts for space. Cutting 5th grade orchestra ignores how many students clearly want to be in strings.
2. 5th grade is the key entry point for orchestra. If students cannot begin in 5th grade, many will never begin at all. This will quietly shrink middle school and high school orchestras in the future.
3. Orchestra isn’t just about playing notes. It teaches teamwork, discipline, patience, and responsibility—skills students carry into every class and into their lives.
4. For many students, orchestra is their community and safe space. It helps with stress, gives them a place to belong, and keeps them engaged with school. Taking away 5th grade orchestra takes away that chance early on.
5. Cutting 5th grade orchestra might look like a small budget decision now, but it damages the entire orchestra program long-term. It means fewer players in middle school and high school, and risks the health of the program for years to come.
6. Our orchestra program is something the community is proud of. Local news has covered how strongly students, parents, and teachers are fighting to save 5th grade orchestra. The district should listen to that support, not ignore it.
7. School orchestra is the only accessible way many families can afford music education. Removing 5th grade orchestra takes away that opportunity, especially from students who cannot pay for private lessons.

Why this matters to me: 

Orchestra matters to me because it shaped me. It shaped how I think and act, too. It has helped me make friends and become someone I am proud of . I started in 5th grade and now I still play. I'm even looking into doing a second instrument, the Contrabass/Double bass along with the cello. If 5th grade orchestra disappears, future students will lose the chance that changed my life, and possibly might change theirs for the worse.

Removing 5th grade orchestra is removing joy, peace, and more.