High School Band

Is the band necessary at school?  When I was in high school, we all looked forward to pep rallies because we knew that the excitement and teams and the cheerleaders would be there ready to go.  The band would be playing current hits along with the school fight song and the Alameda.  We would have never considered not having a band.  I currently teach at a high school that last year decided to no longer have the band.  The athletic department and the band boosters decided to give their booster money back.  Mind you we still have a music teacher, but there is no pep band, no concert band, or a marching band.  Now during pep rallies, we do not have any music except for someone on their phone playing the school fight song.  This is an absolute disgrace.  They should have taken the booster money and started music feeder programs in all the elementary schools like it was when I grew up.  That same teacher could be responsible for going around to each school and teaching music at a different school each day, just like our P.E. teachers do now.  The only way you are going to learn how to play an instrument in my county is to go outside of the county to pursue your musical needs.  Did anyone consider students who cannot afford to do this?  I will always believe that music helps, heals, and satisfies the soul.  Don't let me rely on a phone during a pep rally to get me excited before a game.