A music education crisis is unfolding in Saskatchewan, as the Regina Public School Division moves forward with drastic cuts to its elementary band program — a nationally recognized initiative that has enriched the lives of thousands of students for decades. These cuts, driven by years of provincial underfunding, threaten not only the future of music in schools, but the quality and equity of education itself.
Taryn Luterbach, a local arts advocate and parent, has raised her voice against the changes. “I have a five-year-old daughter entering school next year,” she wrote in a public statement. “It is deeply upsetting to think she may never have the chance to experience making music with her peers — an opportunity that changed the course of my life.”
A Program Under Threat
What began as a 30% reduction in band teachers last year is now accelerating. Notices have gone out indicating that an additional 40% of the remaining elementary band staff will be reassigned to other roles in the fall. If these cuts proceed, each remaining band teacher will be responsible for up to 200 students — a staggering and unsustainable ratio.
While the Regina Public Schools Board of Trustees will officially vote on the budget on June 10, the cuts are already being felt. Teachers have been informed of their reassignments, and families are left facing the very real prospect of losing access to quality music education.
The Consequences Go Beyond Music
Supporters of the band program are clear: this is not just about music. Participation in school music programs is strongly linked to improved academic performance, enhanced social skills, better mental health, and a stronger sense of belonging. For many students — especially those who are neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, newcomers to Canada, or from low-income families — band class is one of the few spaces where they feel seen, safe, and confident.
Parents like Andrew Broccolo have witnessed the life-changing impact of the program firsthand. “It was 100 per cent formative for my son — building leadership, teamwork, and friendships,” he said. “I’d hate for kids coming up behind him to lose out on that.”
These cuts will hit hardest for students whose families cannot afford private music instruction, widening inequities and further diminishing access to a well-rounded education.
A Larger Pattern of Underfunding
The crisis in Regina reflects a broader issue across Saskatchewan: persistent underfunding of public education. While the Ministry of Education has announced a $186 million increase in education funding this year, those on the ground say it isn’t enough — and that arts programs are often the first to be sacrificed.
The Ministry has stated that while the arts are “important,” programs like elementary band are “not integral to the Ministry’s education strategy.” But advocates argue this view is dangerously shortsighted.
In a letter to Minister of Education Everett Hindley and Premier Scott Moe, the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance emphasized: “Music education is not an enrichment activity — it is a cornerstone of a well-rounded public education.”
Community Mobilization: Standing Up for Music Education
In response to the proposed cuts, Taryn Luterbach launched a petition that gained over 1,400 signatures in just 24 hours — a clear signal that this issue resonates deeply with the community.
Advocates are urging the public to:
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Write to their MLA, the Minister of Education, and the Premier using ready-made letter templates available online.
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Sign the petition to show support for preserving band programs in public schools.
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Share personal stories of how music education has impacted their lives or their children’s development.
This growing movement is calling for:
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A reversal of the planned staffing cuts.
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Protection of equitable access to music education.
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Formal recognition of music and the arts as essential components of public education in Saskatchewan.
Why It Matters
At its core, this fight is about values. Do we believe every child deserves access to the same opportunities we had — or more? Do we recognize that education means nurturing the whole child, not just their test scores? And are we willing to act to preserve the programs that shape confident, creative, connected young people?
“There are many things that divide us,” reads the campaign’s statement. “But as parents and as a community, we can all agree that we want our children to never have less than we did.”
This issue matters deeply to Manitoba's school children because what’s happening in Saskatchewan could easily set a precedent for other provinces facing similar budget pressures. Cuts to music education programs in one region normalize the idea that the arts are expendable — a dangerous mindset that puts well-rounded, inclusive education at risk across the country. Manitoba students deserve the same opportunities to thrive through music — to build confidence, teamwork, creativity, and belonging. When neighboring provinces scale back these essential programs, it weakens the national case for arts in education and threatens the future of music classrooms everywhere, including here at home. Supporting Saskatchewan’s fight to preserve band programs is a way for Manitobans to protect the integrity of their own schools and advocate for the holistic development of all Canadian children.