For majority of students from Tombstone High School choir and band programs, music is an outlet for expression.

“Music gives students a different way to get to know each other and express themselves,” said freshman Katie Sepulveda.

For the first time in four years, the school district has a music program that offers band and choir. The school district originally cut the program due to a lack of money and faculty.

Tombstone School District Superintendent Karl Uterhardt estimated it takes $50,000 per year to run the music program, which includes teacher’s salary and reconditioned instruments. 

“Once the music program disappeared it left a void in the school,” said principal Robert Devere.

This year the school district was able to obtain the Instructional Improvement Grant, which limits how the school can spend money. The funds are specifically geared toward implementing new programs, Devere said.

Since the music program disappeared for four years the district was able to claim it as a new program.

“It was depressing not having music in the school for a while,” said Nathan Hutchinson, a junior.

The district was able to save some money by reusing old instruments the school had from the past, Uterhardt said. Many students are also able to bring their own instruments to use.

Now that music is back in the school, students are enjoying the events that go along with choir and band.

“In the beginning of football season we were able to play the Star Spangled Banner,” said Drew Heath, a freshman. “It added much more school spirit to the game.”

Heath said it is nice having the band members sitting on the bleachers playing at games, but he would like to see the school to add a marching band program. He felt having a marching band would increase school attendance — at the games and in the classroom.

Devere said he also noticed the increase of school spirit at football and basketball games. The students were more lively at the games, singing along with the fight song. He hopes it will continue to increase over the next couple of years.

Students felt that implementing the-

“It shows that we’re not a poor school,” Heath said. “It helps our image and attract more students.”

Other students agree, saying that it adds more substance to the school.

“Having music back in the school adds new levels that the school didn’t have before,” Hutchinson said.

Besides impacting school spirit and the school itself, choir and band are opening up new avenues of expression for the students.

“By singing, it enables us to express ourselves as students,” said Samantha Stratton, a freshman.

Freshman Maria Roberts said music is important to her because it is unlike any other outlet; It allows her to show her personality through different songs.

Students have the choice of song selection in choir. Some chose to sing movie classics like Feed the Bird from Mary Poppins. While other students chose a more contemporary music like Bring Me to Life by Evanesance. With the choice of song students feel they express themselves more openly.

“Music is a way for people to connect on a different level beyond the normal everyday conversations,” Hutchinson said.

For others it is the simple idea of singing that attracts them to choir.

“I love to sing; it’s a thrill and an adrenaline rush, getting in front of the school or people,” said John Collette, a senior.

While some students are enjoying having the music program back into their school others do not seem to take notice of the new additions.

“Honestly, I didn’t know it was here,” said junior Sean Hecto. “I took the class because it seemed like a fun class for first block.”

The school district and the students are looking at different ways of improving the music program.

Currently, music is only offered for half-a-day, since the music teacher, Beth Scholefield, teaches at both the junior high and high school, Devere said.

Hutchinson said the students are looking for donations to help improve the instruments for band. He would like to see repairs and replacements for the woodwind and string instruments, many of which are sitting to the side collecting dust because they are unusable.

While some students have found it to be an outlet of expression, the overall feeling of those within the school reflects an improvement to the overall persona and spirit.

“Music adds so much more appreciation to the arts beyond the basics of drawing,” Hutchinson said.