On Thursday February 4, the FCPS School Board held a public hearing with regard to the proposed 2016-17 budget. Nearly two hundred supporters of this budget came out to have their voices heard at a meeting spanning four and a half hours. Anyone who wished to speak was required to register beforehand, and each was assigned a three-minute time slot.
34 speeches by individuals or groups of students kicked off the meeting. Nearly two dozen elementary students came out in support of fourth grade strings and the continuation of language immersion programs. A memorable performance was by a group of students from Fox Mill Elementary School, performing the song “Sakura,” a folk song whose title means “cherry blossoms,” on their violins while the main speaker sang in Japanese. Many stories of successful communication in foreign languages and musical careers beginning in fourth grade strings tugged at the heartstrings of all in attendance. Among the student speakers were seniors Kirtana Pathak and Sragi Khakurel, who took the last available open slot with a spontaneous speech about their experiences in orchestra. Pathak spoke of the regret she felt at quitting orchestra during her sophomore year (she has since rejoined), while Khakurel pointed out the effect that cutting fourth grade strings would have on the other branches of the music department. “I used a lot of the techniques I learned in strings when I was in chorus,” said Khakurel, “note reading, sight reading, and listening to other parts… I took everything I learned in strings and used it to succeed in chorus.”
After nearly two hours of student speakers, the adults took the podium. As expected, many of the speeches were those of concerned parents interested in their children’s co-curriculars. The parents of language immersion students overwhelmingly spoke about their culture, heritage, and experiences in non-English speaking countries. Strings parents relayed tales of their children’s anticipation of fourth grade strings and the excitement they displayed when they first received their instrument.
However, most of these adults went the route of pure pathos; only a handful of parents brought concrete data to the stand. One of these was Jenna Day, mother of Oakton students Xander and Garrett, who had spoken at several prior events with a passion for protecting music education for all students. Day’s family is full of musicians, both strings and band, and her husband Jason is the proprietor of Day Violins, a local violin shop frequented by many Oakton students. Day is currently authoring a book on the topic comprised of student testimonies and studies on music education in a further effort to advocate for her cause.
Fairfax FLAGS, an organization founded in 2009 to protect language immersion programs, is hosting a rally Feb. 16, 2016 at the Fairfax County Government Center in support of a fully funded budget. The event will be taking place from 4:45 to 6:00, and members of Oakton’s Chamber Orchestra will be performing.
