Congresswoman Betty McCollum: Music Hater
Many of you may not have heard of amendment #153 to the 2012 defense authorization bill (H.R. 1540.) It hasn't really made much of a stir that I can tell. What this amendment that quietly passed the house a little over a week ago does is cut spending on military bands by over a third. Sounds like some right-wing spending cut scheme, right? Well it was sponsored by Minnesota Democrat, Betty McCollum. Is this what we want from our Democratic representatives? Of course, it was the Republican House that passed the amendment, but we expect that from them.
There is still time to stop this thing that will severely and permanently damage the military bands. Please, please write to your senators and demand they take this amendment out of this bill before they pass it.
According to the website of the Secretary of Defense's Comptroller, the estimate for the total 2011 military budget is 738.7 billion. The House wants to cut 120 million from the band budget. By my math, that represents .016244% of the DoD budget. Less than 1/50th of 1%. This is in addition to recent cuts that diminished the Air Force Band's personnel by 25%, a loss from which the bands are still reeling. Doesn't it seem like there are other ways to take money out of the defense budget that would actually make a difference, besides cutting jobs, destroying an already lean program, and wounding arts that are actually sponsored by the military?
You may be thinking what are military bands good for anyway? I happen to be a member of one of the military bands, so I can give you an idea. The best way to find out, of course, is to go hear a concert, but as a poor substitute, here is a video:
http://www.youtube.com/...
Military bands aren't just big concert bands that play Sousa marches all day. There are concert bands, but also jazz ensembles like the one in the video, rock bands, choral groups, string groups, and of course, ceremonial groups. These groups are comprised of extremely professional musicians, operating day-to-day on a fairly limited budget. Most of the money spent on bands goes for personnel costs, so you can imagine what cutting the overall budget by 1/3rd will do. It will cut jobs, and eviscerate existing musical groups.
Anyway, here is what I believe military bands are good for:
1. Supporting the troops. Bands provide local support for military functions of all types, and they deploy downrange to provide a much needed morale function. You might not realize what a difference this can make for a troop that's been away from home for 9 months, but it's a little bit of home.
2. Providing ceremonial support: US military bands perform funerals for our veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, play taps at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, play for academy graduations, perform arrival ceremonies for foreign dignitaries, play White House functions, support the inauguration of incoming presidents, play for State functions, march in parades. Now, I'm personally not all that big on pomp, but I have to admit these are really important functions.
3. Put a human face on the armed force for the American public/demonstrate professionalism and excellence. Military bands play hundreds of free concerts all over the US and abroad every year. My personal experience is that audience members are usually moved by the experience, especially if they have a loved one serving in harmâs way. These bands are tough to get in, with most members possessing some form of music degree. In my band, there are musicians with Masters and Doctorate degrees. I am constantly amazed at the level of musicianship surrounding me. This is something good the military does.
4. Play good music! Free! Since I've been in the band, we have traveled all over the US, playing in some areas that see very little in the way of professional musical touring groups. We have given hundreds of free clinics to young musicians all over the country. We have been musical ambassadors representing not just the military, but the United States overseas.
The bands are an American tradition. They are one of the last bastions of professional art music. They warm hearts and bring tears night after night. They are made up of hard-working professional men and women that represent your brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, etc serving in the military all over the world. They are a symbolic presence for what is great about America. And they are in imminent danger of crippling cuts that will all but destroy them. This will pass the Senate and go to the president unless we make it absolutely clear that Betty McCollum and the House DO NOT reflect the will of the people on this issue. Once again, please contact your Senators.
Thank you for your time.