Cape council, band agree on funding cut

Municipal band members and the Cape Girardeau City Council played the same tune Monday night, agreeing at a city hall study session to a cost-cutting move that will eliminate one of the weekly concerts at Capaha Park this summer.

Council members said they didn't want to cut any more of the city funding for the band. The elimination of one concert and a reduction in money for band supplies will cut $2,000 out of the band's $25,000 annual budget.

The council last month voted to cut spending on the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band as part of a number of operating budget cuts designed to free up money for essential public safety services in the police and fire departments.

At the time, council members, including Mayor Jay Knudtson, suggested the city might reduce the band's budget even more and force the band to find corporate sponsors to fund the summer concerts.

But Monday night, council members seem satisfied with the earlier cuts they made.

Longtime trumpet player and banker Narvol Randol, who currently is president of the band, said band members are sympathetic to the city's budget problems and can live with the elimination of one concert.

"We understand the condition the city is in," said Randol.

But he said the council needs to be aware of the longtime tradition of the band, which has had city funding dating back to 1927 and often attracts audiences of 400 or more for its free outdoor concerts.

"We feel it is one of the best attended events put on by the city," Randol told the council. "It's part of the fabric of the city."

Randol submitted several letters of support from city residents and civic leaders, including Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau director Chuck Martin, urging the city to continue funding the band.

"It is truly a slice of Americana," Martin wrote in a letter to the city council.

Councilman Jay Purcell said he felt the spending cut was "fair."

Councilwoman Marcia Ritter suggested the band might consider "passing the hat" and asking audience members at the concerts to donate to help pay the band's expenses. Most of the city funding goes to provide stipends to the approximately 40 musicians, amounting to $40 a week during the summer for each adult and college student member of the band and $20 a week for each high school student in the band.

Knudtson said he was pleased the council didn't have a "knee-jerk reaction" and significantly cut the band budget.

But he told Randol that the band isn't an essential service and that the band needs to look at ways it can help fund its concerts in the future.

The mayor said the city council is trying to support the band and said he would be happy to serve once again as a guest conductor at one of the summer concerts.

"I don't want you guys throwing stuff or spitting at me," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123