Brunswick High School (BHS) is a small school and one of the oldest in the county. While it has many accolades despite its small demeanor, such as some of the amazing athletics teams, there are other areas of BHS that are feeling the impact of a tight and irregular budget—like music.

The BHS marching band was a goliath in the 1980s and 1990s, hosting close to fifty people in a total school of only a few hundred. They were serious competitors, winning multiple awards and state-level competitions. However, in 2026, over thirty years after its golden era, the marching band has fallen into a state of stagnation.

Dr. Steven Allgaier, from Walkersville Eyecare, graduated from BHS and played in the marching band during the 1980s.

Allgaier also said that the pandemic cut the marching band down significantly. Back in the 1980s, the band was more popular and had a larger size. Allgaier was able to attend Disney World during his time for a competition, recalling a number of around 80 students in the band, a much higher number than we see in the present day.

The Brunswick marching band is underfunded. Matthew Hendy, band teacher, is the current conductor and oversees the music department.

“Brunswick’s budget is about $30,000, all from the boosters. I wouldn’t say it’s comfortable, but my boosters do a great job with fundraisers and student involvement,” Hendy said.

Instruments and the equipment that comes with them are very expensive, with an estimated total cost of around $300,000 in all. On the issue of Brunswick’s hamstrung budget, Hendy believes that schools should not resort to cutting the music and art programs as the first priority.

The marching band has had problems that range from not having all the necessary equipment they need to having to use other schools’ equipment. The props they use—chairs and scaffolding—are old and need replacing, but with limited funds, these needs cannot be met.

The funds given to the music department by Frederick County is about 2% of what the boosters provide for BHS. And this is for the entire music department. Hendy uses a majority of that money for the marching band, leaving only a couple hundred dollars for guitars, pianos, and more.

A student at BHS, and senior in the marching band, has felt the grip of the budget tighten.

“I do notice [the budget]. I feel like it’s okay. We tend to borrow some of our instruments from other schools. Props are also not as engaging, like boats, kayaks, and paintings.”

Fundraising events is a mainstream strategy to increase funding for programs across BHS. For the marching band, this additional revenue is crucial to keep it functioning.

Senior Andre Phillips has attended many BHS football games throughout high school. He doesn’t particularly pay attention to the marching band during the games.

“With a lot going on, on the field, it is harder to give a lot of attention to the marching band. But when they come out at halftime, it is their highlight,” Phillips said.

The marching band is not at its fullest.

It is underfunded and it has lost its popularity. Many people are losing interest in music electives, and there is no indication this will stop. Music makes impacts beyond the classroom; it needs investment to continue.