Should we rely on parents, fundraisers, and music boosters to fund music programs?

In 2015, the United States Senate passed a bill recognizing music as a core subject. (For more information, please see http://www.nafme.org/senate-passes-every-child-achieves-act-with-music-and-arts-as-core-subjects-in-tact/) If mathematics, the sciences, and language arts are completely financially supported by a school district's budget, then music should be as well. Asking music teachers to fund raise the money needed to purchase new repertoire is like asking a math teacher to fund raise for new math textbooks. Essential supplies, such as piano or keyboard, repertoire, and percussion equipment like timpani and bass drums, should be provided by the school.

Field trips, on the other hand, should be paid for by fundraising and parents. As educational as they may be, field trips are not necessary to the education of students in music or any other subject. Fundraising for field trips, in all subjects, is a great way to teach students about the value of money and personal responsibility.