Equal Access & Enhanced Economics — Instrumental Music

Instruments and uniforms are 100% free to each student — Arlington ISD, 2025.

Irving ISD is committed to providing a superior education opportunity to all students interested in the performing arts and, as such, provides the use of school-owned instruments at no charge — Irving ISD, 2025.

A Look at Arlington ISD and Irving ISD

Providing equitable access to fine arts education is a commitment both Arlington ISD and Irving ISD have made by ensuring that musical instruments and uniforms are provided at no cost to students. This initiative removes financial barriers and allows all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, to participate in instrumental music programs.

Breaking Down Barriers to Access

From 2009 to 2013, student participation in secondary fine arts in Irving ISD increased by 40%. Similarly, Arlington ISD saw a 22% increase in secondary performing arts enrollment from 2013 to 2017. This growth was made possible by eliminating the financial burden of renting or purchasing instruments, a major hurdle for many families. At the time, 80% of Irving ISD students and 70% of Arlington ISD students were eligible for free or reduced lunch, underscoring the financial constraints many families faced.

Despite misconceptions that students from low-income backgrounds lacked interest in band, choir, or orchestra, the real issue was accessibility. Many students were funneled into Art I simply because they had no prior experience in other fine arts disciplines, not due to a lack of desire to participate in music programs. By providing free access to instruments, these districts demonstrated that interest in music was not the problem—affordability was.

Irving High School Band Enrolment: From 60 in 2007 to 200+ in 2014 — Over 333% Increase

Funding the Initiative

Both districts leveraged capital bond funds to purchase musical instruments. These funds, typically used for vehicles, buildings, and computer equipment, were a viable source since quality musical instruments have a lifespan of over 10 years. In Arlington ISD, a 2014 scientific phone survey gauged public support for using bond funds to purchase instruments for students who otherwise couldn’t afford them. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 70% of voters supporting the measure. This strong backing contributed to the successful passage of Arlington ISD’s May 2014 Bond Package, which included $9.8 million for instruments and uniforms.

Graphic, Darrell Fife

Music Expansion = Enhanced Economics

Expanding Participation and Cost Savings

Ensuring access to instruments was only part of the strategy. The districts also worked to increase student participation structurally, especially at the beginner level and in the transition from middle to high school. A key component of this effort was demonstrating the financial benefits of growing music programs.

By analyzing participation data and staffing costs, Arlington ISD projected that a fully enrolled high school music program would generate significant cost savings. With over 3,000 students per high school and a target of 10% participation in band, the district calculated that achieving healthy participation levels in band, choir, and orchestra would result in an annual staffing cost savings of $1.2 million in 2014, equivalent to approximately $1.6 million in 2024.

Each HS had over 3,000 students enrolled, and a commonly used band participation level of 10% was used for calculation. Numbers were anylized and vetted by both the fine arts and finance departments.

Through the 2014 Bond Program, we had funds to purchase instruments and uniforms for each of the six AISD high school music programs to grow to what we as a system chose to be healthful participation — Band, 300; Choir, 250; Orchestra, 250. Column 2 was current enrollment, column 3 was desired enrollment, and column 4 was the delta of 2 and 3. The delta of each of the six high schools was added together and divided by 28 (students), which was the district budget assumption for a class to determine the equivalent of class periods. Class periods were converted to Full Time Equivalents (FTE), and the FTEs were equated to 2014 budget allocations. When you added the room for student enrollment, with current staff at the junior high and high school level for secondary music, if the programs were filled to healthful participation, the net savings  — again in 2014 — would be $1.2M, which would be $1.6M in 2024. So, the district could then choose cost savings or allocate those FTEs for class size reduction or other programming. Either way, everyone wins.

A Win-Win for Everyone

The 2014 Bond Program allowed Arlington ISD to equip all six high school music programs with instruments and uniforms to support growth to target participation levels—Band: 300, Choir: 250, Orchestra: 250. By increasing participation, the district could optimize staffing resources, reduce costs, or reallocate funds to other initiatives such as class size reduction.

Ultimately, this initiative exemplifies how strategic planning and community support can make the arts accessible to all students, fostering a thriving music education program that benefits both students and the district as a whole.