Prairie Spirit students play what's likely last band concert

It was a bittersweet day for students in Prairie Spirit School Division's eastern divisionband classes.

More than 180 students from seven schools in the eastern school divisionperformed what could be their last ever year-end concert in Saskatoon Monday.

A number of students said before the concertthey wanted to make the night count.

"It's kind of stressful, I guess, because we want to put on a really great performance for what could be the last thing ever. The intensity is up, we're all ready to go, excited," said Grade 10 student Mae McDonald, who plays flute in senior band at Aberdeen Composite School.

Her bandmate JazmineEmburyplays the clarinet in the senior band.

I'm pretty sure everyone's holding back their tears until the end.- Jazmin Embury, Grade 10

"I'm pretty sure everyone's holding back their tears until the end. It is going to be really stressful because we've practiced a lot and we want to show people that this is what we love, and this is what we came here to do," Embury told CBC News.

Parents want answers

It wasn't just students who were emotional.

Kathleen James-Cavan is a self-proclaimedband parent. Her daughter Sophiahas played in band since Grade 5 and now plays flute in the senior band. James-Cavan said it helped her daughtercome out of her shell when she was younger and very shy.

She saidthe evening was more bitter than sweet.

"Music is her life, so it's really, really sad that we're not going to have a band anymore," James-Cavan said.

She said there are many unanswered questions about the band cuts.

Prairie Spirit School Division is holding an information session for students and parents on June 8 in Delisle.

But James-Cavansaid the decision has alreadybeen made without parent or student consultation.

"I'll be there (at the June 8 meeting)to ask the hard questions. Show us the information, show us the balance sheet, tell us how much this is going to save, and why we should give up something so precious to our kids when there might be other things that can be given up instead," shesaid.