Due to the current recession, the American economy within the last few years has taken a nosedive, making it difficult for national, state, and local governments to support all the programs they currently have in place. There are difficult choices that need to be made about where to make sacrifices in their budgets so things can still run effectively and smoothly. Unfortunately, one of the areas where many governments have decided to make major sacrifices is in education. Due to the budget crisis, music teachers are losing their jobs because schools cannot afford to keep them. Existing fine arts programs are also suffering. Teachers are scrounging for options to keep their programs alive, from fund-raising to having students contribute money so that the program can afford to function. The author points out that continuing to support the school music programs is critical to educating creative, disciplined students who can communicate effectively and work together. School administrations and governments at all levels need to come together and agree on compromises in their budgets so that the music programs can continue to shape and build the future generations. (Contains 13 notes.)