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SD: Rapid City, Band could lose 80% of its city funding

29-Dec-2011  Rapid City Journal

The Rapid City Ranger Band could lose 80 percent of its funding from the city next year under a proposal being considered by the Rapid City Council.

The Legal & Finance Committee on Wednesday voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the cut, which would amount to a loss of $8,300 in funding for the municipal marching band. In 2011, the band received $10,300 from the city, or all but $100 of its annual income.

Aldermen also approved the remainder of the city's arts subsidies for 2012 for a total of $95,000 in support, including a $2,700 administrative fee for the Allied Arts Fund, which oversees the application process.

But the Ranger Band was singled out for the large cut, after some city officials questioned why the city was spending $10,000 on a group that only performs once in Rapid City every year. In 2011, the band marched in five parades - Miss South Dakota in Hot Springs, 4th of July in Belle Fourche, Gold Discovery Days in Custer, Days of '76 in Deadwood and Central State Fair in Rapid City.

Ward 3 Alderman Dave Davis, who supported the cut, said the marching band cannot expect the city to be its sole source of funding and encouraged it to seek additional funding through sponsorships.

"It's part of the reality that we've got in the city budget today. We've got to take a good, hard look at where our dollars are going," Davis said. "There is a matter of civic pride, and we have a responsibility to help in that, but I don't think we can do it all."

But Don Downs, director of the Ranger Band, said absorbing a cut from $10,300 to $2,000 in one year, "basically that would kill the program."

Established in 1959, the Ranger Band was the brainchild of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, which asked the city to create a paid marching band that could perform at summer festivals and parades around the Black Hills. The city has funded the band since its inception.

"The Ranger Band is, in fact, your band. It is the city's marching band," Downs said. "Our purpose is to go out and be ambassadors to the city of Rapid City."

Downs said being able to pay the musicians is vital to convincing 55 talented high school students to take time off from summer jobs and vacations for the band.

The students are paid $6 per rehearsal and $14 per performance, plus a $40 bonus for making every rehearsal and parade. In 2011, salaries ranged from $35 to $152, he said.

The city subsidy also covers the cost of uniforms, music and transportation to and from parades.

"You have to remember that when you're dealing with a band, you have to have trumpets and trombones and tubas and drummers. It isn't just who shows up on Saturday morning," Downs said. "If the drummers don't come, you don't have a drum cadence and we don't have a band."

But Ward 2 Alderman Steve Laurenti, who also voted for the cut, said while he appreciates the work of local arts groups, the city needs to realign its priorities.

"I just have a very big problem with government and their role in subsidies when we have so many infrastructure items and public safety issues," Laurenti said. "We are pressuring public safety and infrastructure while at the same time doling out these subsidies."

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