By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Hundreds of students at Mayfield Secondary School are rallying together to save their repertoire courses from impending budget cuts.

Two weeks ago, Mayfield students were gathered around and told that by the beginning of the 2026/27 academic school year, there would be a huge change in the music program the school.

Due to cuts from the school board to staffing, both students and teachers were informed three of the four repertoire courses currently offered would be cut and no longer run.

These courses have been running for decades, with Mayfield's jazz repertoire courses since the early 1990s, and ensembles for almost 40 years.

Now, the students are coming together to show how much they need – and love – these programs.

Sebastian Beffort, a Grade 11 Mayfield student, explains that since they were told, they've organized 200-person group chats, created various social media accounts, and started a petition to highlight the importance of these courses.

He says their aim is to convince their administration to take cuts to other courses at the school.

“Music is always first on the chopping block,” says Beffort.

Now, they're hoping to gain enough attention and support to carry weight when they appear before the administration.

“It's rooted in the school's history, and well-being and the mental health of people,” he says, reflecting on the courses. “Along with that, it's one of the top-performing music schools in Ontario, as a high school.”

Their ensembles/courses, such as Magnetics and Blues Alley, are award-winning; Magnetics, back in 2023, won the CBC 2023 Canadian Music Class Challenge.

With more than 200 students currently in the program, Beffort says they're all extremely dedicated to saving their courses.

“Everybody deserves to have the chance to prove themselves through something that they are passionate about. Taking away these courses takes away the possibility for some to pursue what they love most. From the day I auditioned at this incredible school I have grown immensely and consistently. It is a tragedy that due to cuts going into education some may not be able to chase what they love,” says Beffort.

He's certainly not the only one who feels this way; in testimonials sent to the Citizen, students expressed their love and concern for the cuts to these courses.

Megan Meta, Grade 12 Regional Arts Program Vocal student, says that Mayfield's Music Program has shaped not just the musician, but the person she is today.

“It has shown me that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. The music program doesn't only teach you music, but teaches you skills that can be applied in all areas of study and life. And because of how passionate Mayfield Music's students and educators are about music education, this year we have one of the highest number of the program's graduates going to pursue music in postsecondary, myself included,” she says. 

Various students share similar stories about how ensembles and courses such as Blues Alley have shaped their musical journey.

Mayfield's senior repertoire class band, Blues Alley, is one of the courses currently set to be cut from the program.

“During my first year at Mayfield I spent my time practicing and preparing for the day I would get to Blues Alley.  I worked through many ensembles until I had finally reached my goal, and the achievement will always be a huge step in my music career,” says Beffort.

Grade 11 student Joshua Erskine says that once, as a Grade 9 student, they got to hear Blues Alley perform at Mayfield's Strawberry Jazz Festival. 

“Ever since this moment, I had a goal to one day be a part of Blues Alley,” says Erskine.

Grade 10 student Sarah Tadesse says she looks forward to lunch every day, knowing she gets to learn and rehearse with musicians in Blues Alley.

“These ensembles aren't just courses, they're a community where everyone learns, grows, and feels supported. Through Mayfield's repertoire courses, I've developed skills like communication, collaboration, patience, time management, and so much more, which I apply in many aspects of my everyday life. But more importantly, it's given me, and many others, a place where we belong. Taking away these programs doesn't just remove courses, it takes away opportunities, connections, and a meaningful part of students' lives,” says Tadesse.

The goal of the Mayfield Repertoire Project is to bring as much attention to this issue as possible, and they hope to encourage others to sign their petition to raise awareness.

They currently have accumulated over 5,000 signatures.