During the visit, the band worked with the high school students during their band classes, during which service members gave the students pointers.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Eagle River High School students got a special visit on Tuesday from the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific. The band, which is based at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, is traveling through Alaska, doing special performances at select high schools for the Month of the Military Child.
According to Eagle River High School, the student body is made up of around 40% military families. “Music makes people happy, music really connects everyone,” Staff Sgt. Courtney Woods of the band said. “It’s the greatest honor in the world to be able to wear this uniform doing what I love the most.” During the visit, the band worked with the high school students during their band classes, during which service members gave the students pointers. The band also showed students one way they can have a career in music after high school. “It’s been really fun to work with the band kids,” Woods said. “I like to think that if it’s possible, we can inspire one kid to either pursue music professionally or maybe pursue a career in the military, then that’s a huge win.” The band’s performance comes at a time that Anchorage School District fine arts programs are facing cuts going into the next school year. According to the district, 12 fine arts teachers were notified on April 17 that they were being laid off. The district said 44 other educators were also notified that they were being laid off. The district said the cuts to staffing and the fine arts programs are intended to address its $90 million deficit. “Honestly, music is the reason that I come to school,” Ivin Dick, a junior at Eagle River High School, said. “And to have this outlet taken away from me and other people I know, it’s honestly devastating.”“I really hope that we can find a way to fix it,” Dick said regarding the proposed cuts.“I think it’s really amazing to be able to connect with people that are passionate with the same things that you’re passionate about,” Dick said. “A lot of the times it can be kind of lonely in a place where nobody really cares about what you care about to the same extent.” Alaska’s News Source asked Anchorage School District how cuts would specifically impact Eagle River High School. The district did not provide an answer.“It might sound a little cheesy, but music is the universal language. I see it every single day,” Woods said. “I hope that these students have a way to continue to have music be part of their lives and their education.” The band is also playing public shows at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center on April 26 at 2 p.m. All of the band’s public performances are free and open to the public, the band said.Tracy cooks the internet: Dr. Pepper PieFairbanks skier Kendall Kramer reflects on Olympic season, reaching the highest levelDunleavy: Lawmaker changes to LNG property tax bill puts gas line ‘at risk’
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