The Day The Music Died

At the Monday (Oct 17) meeting of the Marfa Independent School District trustees, a decision was made to suspend the band program at Marfa Junior/Senior High School for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. Trustees said they made the decision with regret, after running out of alternative options.

The difficult decision was made after band director Forrest Perry quit suddenly about one month ago. The open position is actively being advertised, but school board members had not yet found a qualified candidate.

School trustees said regulations disallow students in the band class from operating the band without a leader, though they are being allowed to play at the last two home football games.

Marfa graduate Daniel Hernandez, who was very active in school band while he was there, had this to say:
"It is disappointing for this decision to have been reached, but I have faith that the students will persevere through the rough patch and will get through the remainder of the school year. With hard work, dedication, and community support, anything is possible for these students. I ask the community of Marfa as well as any other band supporters to keep the band in their thoughts and be open to help in any way that may arise. Our thanks go to those who have already contributed to the band. Their kindness has not gone unnoticed."
The news comes on the heels of Marfa High School moving to adopt the six-man football team, with a smaller field and fewer players. This will become effective in the 2012-13 school year.

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