<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: swvacsas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not really replying to anyone. Just a few comments on the thread items in general.
A lot of teams are not traveling well. Gas prices are a big factor in attendance at away games this year. At the Pound-Appalachia game I saw an Appalachia family of five go in- probably cost them around $20.00 in gas given their vehicle. A total of at least $45.00 or more for one game -these folks no doubt could afford it- but the cost stresses a lot of people.
The comments made by everyone on the band situation are pretty well on the point. My Mother was a pioneer music and band teacher in the area and it is really distressing to see the retrogression of the music programs. I would agree with Trumpet that band is not cool to a lot of kids- but I think this could be overcome if some decent emphasis was placed on music education. The Coeburn band situation is uncalled for and inexcusable. A failure of responsible action by the county school administration. I have also been told that Dickenson County dropped band due to finances. It is amazing to me that money exists for art, theatre, and some other things but not music. The emphasis being placed on local music tourism should send a message to the local school systems. Indian Dad pointed out the instabilty of the Wise situation and Wise is not alone. Music education has been suffering from not so benign neglect on the part of a lot of administrators. </div></div>

Yes, that is true about Dickenson Co. schools. There was very little interest in having a band in Dickenson Co. Out of the three high schools, there were about 15 students that were interested in having a band.