Students, parents perform outside Regina Public Schools office to oppose band program changes

CTV News

11-06-2025

Cailyn Leake, a former band program member, says she fell in love with music through the program and hopes to see it continue for future students.
Parents are asking the Regina Public School Board of Trustees for more time before finalizing its decision to restructure its elementary band program for the 2025-26 school year.
Prior to the board of trustees meeting Tuesday evening, close to one hundred people showed their support for keeping the program in its existing state through a music demonstration outside of the division's office.
'What we're asking for is a pause on any decisions for the next few weeks so we can do some community consultation and connect with the public, and connect with the experts in our community to come up with some alternatives to help them make up that budget without removing positions from our band program,' explained Christina Carlson, board member of Sheldon Williams Area Music Committee.
Although Regina Public Schools has not directly outlined the details of its proposed changes, the division stated no layoffs will occur as part of the restructuring.
Regina Public School band
Parents show support for Regina Public Schools elementary band program. Many are asking the division to reconsider proposed changes that would see Regina Public Schools division to reconsider proposed changes.
(Sierra D'Souza Butts)
The school division has said 2025-26 is a 'unique budget year' and is still in the process of finalizing it's approximately $300 million in funding. As a result, realigning certain programs, such as elementary band, are being proposed.
In response, the Regina Band Parent Leadership Team plans to move forward with a music consultant – Dr. John Benham of Save School Music Programs - to find a solution for funding the division's band program, which will be presented to the public on June 14th.
'We're hoping to lean from the other districts and the divisions in North America. Our consultant works in North America wide, we're hoping there's some new ideas, fresh ideas out there, maybe some innovative ideas that we just haven't had an opportunity to explore based on our own constraints,' said Carlson.
'I'm really hoping we have a lot of advocates in the community from Regina Symphony Orchestra to SaskMusic to all these other organizations that can maybe come and help and give their expertise as well.'
Regina Public Schools band
Close to one hundred people showed their support for keeping the elementary band program in its existing state through a music demonstration outside of the Regina Public Schools division office.
(Sierra D'Souza Butts)
CTV News has reached out to Regina Public Schools Board of Trustees for comment.
The co-curricular instrumental education program provides two hours per week of band class to students from Grade 6 to 12, in addition to workshops and festivals outside of regular school hours, led by band teachers.
There are currently 1,600 students participating in the program, according to the Saskatchewan Band Association.
'We're not opposed to things looking differently,' Carlson added.
'We're just wanting to make sure it's sustainable and safe for our children in the growth that we've seen in the program.'
-More to come...