TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The FAMU Marching 100 is set to receive $800,000 in funding from Florida A&M University’s own budget instead of the FAMU Foundation. This is a shift from earlier plans, where the Foundation had allocated $400,000 to the band. That money will now be redirected to support leadership salaries at the university.
This change follows conversations held by Marching 100 students with FAMU’s Board of Trustees in June. Many members of the band expressed their concerns about funding, aiming to ensure that the band is prioritized and not treated as a financial fallback.
Band director Dr. Shelby Chipman has ambitious plans for the Marching 100, hoping to increase its membership from 275 to 330 students. The newly allocated funds will help cover travel costs and other band-related expenses as they gear up for the school year.
Interestingly, funding for arts programs like marching bands has been a hot topic lately. A study by the National Association for Music Education reported that students involved in music programs often perform better academically and have higher graduation rates. These benefits highlight the importance of financial support for programs like FAMU’s Marching 100, fostering not just musical talent but also academic success.
The changes in funding not only soothe immediate budget concerns but also resonate with broader trends in educational financing, where arts and extracurricular activities are often at risk during budget cuts.
As FAMU makes these adjustments, it’s clear that supporting the Marching 100 is about more than just financial numbers—it’s about creating a vibrant educational environment for students to thrive.
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