Bill requiring musical instrument sterilization lacks Somerville support

[The Straight Story]

Bill requiring musical instrument sterilization lacks Somerville support

Somerville (MA) —

School music programs could soon find themselves on the chopping block if legislation passes that would require both public and private schools to have their musical wind instruments professionally sterilized, some local music educators warned.

The controversial legislation, which proposes requiring medical-grade sterilization before instruments pass from one student to the next, would be a death sentence for many urban and rural music programs already struggling with budget cuts, according to some local music educators.

“This is fear mongering,” Somerville Public Schools K-12 Music Director Rick Saunders said. “This is totally unnecessary and is not in the best interest of our students.”

The bill was introduced last year by Rep. Paul Donato, D-Medford, after a special commission of legislators, educators and health officials recommended that the state establish a protocol for wind instrument hygiene. Only one company, the Andover-based MaestroMD, currently offers wind instrument sterilization for the New England area.

Sterilization for a band the size of Somerville’s would cost anywhere between $4,000 and $6,000, or about $20 to $30 per instrument, MaestroMD founder and Medford dentist Dr. Lorenzo Lepore said.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/x560179476/Bill-requiring-musical-instrument-sterilization-lacks-Somerville-support