Maspeth school saves its band

Over 70 elementary school students will now be able to continue playing in the award-winning band of Maspeth’s P.S. 153 after it was saved from the chopping block.
Representative Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn and Queens) asked the city to revive funds for the band after P.S. 153’s principal, Susan Bauer, recently informed him and other community leaders of the school’s imminent budget cuts.
“Our entire school community is ecstatic that the funds to support our award-winning band have been restored,” said Bauer, whose school is located at 60-02 60th Lane. “Our students will once again have the opportunity to explore their talents.”
A staple at the school for three decades, the band has had numerous successes, including five straight wins in the annual “Music in the Parks” competition in Dorney Park, PA.
Besides saving its band, P.S. 153, a school of over 1,300 students, also salvaged a couple of its art programs after receiving $291,000 in restored funds, Weiner said.
“Music and art programs are essential to a high-quality education,” he explained. “It’s wonderful that the school band is in full swing this year.”