The stands of Chris Taylor Alumni Field are usually pretty empty in the months leading up to the beginning of the Chieftain’s football season in August.

This past Saturday, though, dozens of local families withstood the hot and muggy weather outside to cheer on the group of students who will be taking the field alongside the Union High School’s pigskin warriors this fall.

That evening, the members of Chieftain marching band gave their parents, siblings and others lining the stands a sneak-preview of their show for the upcoming season. The kids had spent the last several days learning the music and movements for the performance during the school’s annual band camp, under the direction of newly hired Band Director Justin Makarewicz.

As with other performances by the band and the district’s other fine art programs, the concert was well attended by people who were clearly passionate about the students’ creative endeavors.

Though their merits are universally praised by people who participated in them, fine arts programs remain an under recognized part of school curriculum in many communities. Programs such as band, orchestra and choir require the same sort of time commitment and dedication from members as athletic teams, and participants are offered the same chances to learn about leadership and teamwork.

In the Dowagiac community, there exists a strong undercurrent of support for students participating in these programs. Organizations like the Dowagiac Fine Arts Boosters go above and beyond to support the district’s students, including awarding student scholarships for college and for fine arts camps every year.

We also see the benefits these programs offer to local students, and we hope they continue to receive the outpouring of support they already receive from the community.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.