Despite relative progress in the nation's education system, school arts programs, on the whole, have recently been left neglected. Bowdoin sophomore Brandon Bouchard decided to confront this issue in his hometown of Caribou, Maine by organizing a committee called the Caribou High School Music Building Fund, a group with high goals and the energy and ability to achieve them.
"We live in a country where sports are rewarded constantly. I think this is great, but at the same time, we can't forget about other activities, like the arts," Bouchard said. Despite this perspective, he maintains a positive outlook on his hometown community, citing that "not only has the Aroostook County community recognized that the arts are vital, they also know we must expand Caribou's program."
To promote the arts development process in Caribou, Bouchard, who began studying the trombone in fourth grade and performs with his school's music groups, gathered with some friends in 2001 and decided to form a committee to look into the possibility of building a new music center.
"Currently, a single room built for 50 students serves as the band room for over 90 musicians, storage room for the music department, music offices, music library, and the green room for the Caribou's Performing Arts Center," said Bouchard, who is now chairing the committee.
"It killed me to know that my high school band could perform so much better if only we had an appropriate facility."
This thought, combined with other similar feelings, is what ultimately drove Bouchard and his friends to organize the group. Their organization is meant to supplement the already existing efforts being made by administration.
"Students knew that the school department was never going to be able to solve the problems themselves," said Bouchard, "so the students identified the need and made a plan on how to fix it."
The group has found success in translating their anxieties into action. Bouchard said, "For two years, we researched nearly every aspect of the project, and have gotten to the point now where we are an official 501(c)(3) organization, with over thirty Caribou community members on board."
On March 14, the group announced at their first press conference a $2.7 million capital campaign to build a music facility at Caribou High School. This project focuses on solving the critical problem in arts administration?funding.
"We will be seeking funding through state avenues, will be applying to several grant making organizations, and are currently holding community fundraisers," Bouchard said.
"With the situation in the United States right now, where many critical school programs and federal funds that go towards arts grant-making organizations are being cut, it makes life a little more difficult."
In the face of these issues, the group is maintaining a positive outlook. "[The current situation] doesn't mean that [the project] isn't possible, but rather, more work for all those involved," Bouchard said. "All of us on the committee are willing to do what it takes to make this project a success."
The organization hopes to cooperate with community members, as it already has been with school administration, rather than focus inwardly and neglect outside help.
"Because this project is unlike any other before it, there is the opportunity for the masses to understand that arts education is critical," Bouchard says.
"We will take help in any way, whether it is financial or volunteer work. Everyone has their own skills which can be highly useful in a project such as this."
Faced with a bold but important challenge, the organization has been strengthening its resolve and has set out major goals and plans which they hope to address.
Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact Bouchard via email at bbouchar@bowdoin.edu or visit his group's website at cariboumusic.org to learn more about the organization.