Concerns Rise as John Chavis Middle School Cuts Band Director Due to Budget Cuts
By: Wise News Network Staff
Cherryville, NC (WNN) — John Chavis Middle School will combine its band and chorus programs under a single teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. As of their 2024 winter concert, the band program consists of 91 students, and the chorus has 33. This decision will nearly quadruple the amount of students under one teacher.
The school announced this on Monday, April 7th, citing budget cuts and state staffing guidelines. The move comes as the school system adjusts to enrollment numbers and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction staffing ratios for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Funding Differences Across Grade Levels
Our WNN Team found information showing a clear difference in how much money is given to band programs at different grade levels for Gaston County Schools. Elementary students get no money for band. Middle School gets $12 per student, and High School gets $16 per student for the 2025-2026 academic year.
School Cites Enrollment, State Guidelines
The school’s announcement, posted on its Facebook page, addressed community concerns about the future of its fine arts programs. “Both band and chorus are vital parts of our fine arts and curriculum and will continue to be offered to students next school year,” the statement read.
Due to enrollment numbers, the school will reduce its fine arts staff. A single certified teacher will teach both band and chorus, keeping the classes separate as they are currently.
Collaboration with High School Band Director
Additionally, school officials emphasized the decision was not made lightly, stating:
“This decision was not made lightly. It was made following a review of total student allotment numbers and the staffing ratios provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the 2025–2026 school year,” the statement said. “School administration worked in close collaboration with instructional executive directors and other district-level directors to determine the most effective way to continue offering both programs within these guidelines.”
However, to reduce the impact on the band program, John Chavis Middle School will continue its partnership with the Cherryville High School band director. This collaboration, which has been in place this year, will see the high school director provide instruction and leadership to the middle school students.
“This partnership will enhance learning opportunities and ensure that the program remains strong and successful,” the school’s statement said.
Students have raised concerns about scheduling conflicts causing the high school band to diminish in size in previous years. The Cherryville band program has seen significant growth under the correlation between Mr. Berry and the Cherryville High School Band director. Under this, eighth graders have been allowed to participate in high school marching band, which has helped renew interest in the program.
While scheduling conflicts did lower the high school band program’s size, it is currently growing at a rate of about 10 total students a year and is on track to have around 40 total students next year. This illustrates a healthy and thriving program that parents worry they may lose with the change.
Parental Concerns
Parents such as Chase C. Corry have been vocal about the positive impact the band program has had on their children.
“Mr. Berry has had a tremendous impact on my son, Colin, during his first year in band,” Corry shared. “His passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to directing the band have not only inspired Colin but helped him grow both musically and personally. Mr. Berry’s leadership has made a lasting impression, and his presence would be deeply missed by the students and families who have benefited from his dedication.”
Parents Reach Out to Officials
Another parent, Lauren Stepp, expressed her frustration and concern in an email to the school and Gaston County superintendent.
“We are all upset about this decision, and the children are the ones to suffer from this decision. They’ve been crying and heartbroken, the children started a petition to reverse this decision. That petition now has nearly 700 verified signatures, which should be a powerful testament.” Stepp shared.
Matt Aldridge, a parent who has been in contact with many officials, pointed out the impact of enrollment numbers on the school’s arts programs. He was told the Department of Public Instruction allotted a certain number of teacher positions based on total enrollment.
John Chavis’s total enrollment is 412 students, making it the smallest middle school in Gaston County. Aldridge was told there would need to be a higher number of students involved in band, for example, to justify a teacher specifically for that class.
“Our arts programs shouldn’t suffer due to the size of our community,” Aldridge concluded. “We love living in a small community and having small schools. However, the Cherryville schools’ art programs shouldn’t suffer due to the size of our community.”
Educator Concerns
Multiple music directors voiced concerns about the practical implications of combining band and chorus under one teacher. In NC, music educators receive a music K-12 license despite this not reflecting the course curriculum they deal with in college. Typically, music educators are specialized in one subset, being band, string, or choral performance.
Concerns from these educators fell in line with how they were taught. This highlighted that they wouldn’t be comfortable being made to teach outside of their respective field. They cited the large difference in teaching wind instruments and percussion as compared to voice or strings. It is not just the instruments that differ, however, with band music consisting of an unfamiliar repertoire for choral and string teachers.
Notably, that marching band is entirely different from the typical on-stage style productions string and choral educators are used to. In marching band, directors must understand dot sheets for placement on the field as well as band ensemble balance so a level sound reaches the audience.
A Music Doctor’s Perspective
Dr. Patricia Sparti, a professor of music at Gardner-Webb University, offered her perspective on the proposed merging of the band and chorus programs.
“It is, of course, much better to have a dedicated band director, choral director, and orchestra director,” Dr. Sparti stated. “They were certified K-12 vocal and instrumental, but everyone teaches better in their area of specialty. It is in no one’s best interest to add 91 more students to the chorus teacher.”
Sparti also expressed concern about the broader trend of downsizing and its impact on educators. “It is like everywhere nowadays. They are downsizing and expecting the employees left to work twice harder and longer hours,”.
She emphasized the value of music education for students, urging them to stay in the program. “Tell the kids to stay in band! Band or chorus teacher, they will still make great music, and this will be something they can carry with them their entire life!” “They will learn so many wonderful skills, develop the right side of their brains and appreciate music and have something wonderful to appreciate.”
Dr. Sparti concluded by advocating for comprehensive music programs in schools. “Every school should have band, orchestra, and chorus. Not having all three is a crying shame,” she said.
Western NC Orchestra Teacher of the Year Comments
The 2023 Western NC Orchestra Teacher of the Year, Amanda Colson, told us,
“I have so much respect for all of my colleagues who teach band, chorus, and string orchestra in our region and state. We have all put in so many hours perfecting our craft in our perspective ensembles and we thrive in those atmospheres. I love teaching string orchestra and have had many great experiences and successes in that environment. With that being said, I know I would struggle with providing the best experiences and successes in that environment. With that being said, I know I would struggle with providing the best experience for band students. I can manage, but I have always required the expertise of a colleague to guide me in the situations where I have been directly teaching winds and percussion. If I was in charge of direct instruction of a daily band class, those students would not receive the same level of education I provide my string orchestra students.” The teacher added, “We have other strengths and we’re not one size fits all.”
Community Responds with Petition
The move has prompted a strong reaction from the community, with parents and students expressing concerns. An online petition, available at change.org, titled “Halt the Removal of Band Director, Mr. Berry, at John Chavis Middle School” has been circulating, gathering almost 700 signatures to reverse the school’s decision.
Specifically, the petition argues for the importance of the band program and the positive influence of Mr. Berry, urging the school to reconsider its decision.
Board of Education Meeting Scheduled
For those wanting to express their concerns regarding this issue, You must fill out a request to speak form and return it to the School Board Clerk before the meeting. The meeting will be held on April 14th at 5:30 PM.
This meeting provides an opportunity for community members to voice their opinions on the proposed changes to the John Chavis Middle School band program. The location is 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, NC 28054.
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