It’s a point of pride for small schools like Eisenhower and Youngsville to have their own marching bands.

And the students should be proud of their efforts. Participating in the marching band is a time-consuming endeavor for both students and their parents involving hour after hour of practice to master their instrument, let alone march in formation while performing.

We’re sure there is apprehension from students as Warren County School District officials debate, once again, possible school closures. Among options being discussed now are moving ninth through 12th grades at Sheffield to Warren, moving ninth through 12th grades at Youngsville to Eisenhower, moving ninth through 12th grades at Eisenhower to Youngsville and a hybrid that would send part of the student population at Eisenhower to Youngsville and part to Warren. It’s not easy to see organizations and activities change over time.

Maybe it’s time to create new points of pride for our marching band students.

It’s hard to have a marching band with 30 or 40 students. It places limits on the types of formations a band can attempt as part of its performance. Imagine the opportunities that could be available to musicians in a bigger band that has the ability to take on more complex pieces of music and choreography.

The marching band is only one such example, of course, but it’s pertinent since practices have begun and the annual All-County exhibition is coming up Saturday at War Memorial Field in Warren.

It’s easy to cling to what we know as merger discussions swirl around. It’s harder to visualize opportunities that may be available for our student athletes, musicians and artists. The way things used to be, though, is the past. It’s time to look to the future.