Last week, music lover said:

Do you need advice on an issue? Other SmartGirls can help! Submit your issue to SmartGirl.

145 SmartGirls replied:

37% gave other responses. Some SmartGirls said:

• You should have a concert during school and show the principal you're a brilliant band. Prove him wrong! -From Katie 15.

• Write up a budget that would state how much money your band needs, and with your well-planned budget, talk to the principal and band director. If they think that it is too much money to fund, hold an event like a bake sale or car wash to cut down the costs then ask again. Be persistent and good luck!

• Dear Musiclover, I don't think I know a way to change this, apart from the teachers and government. You can always make a change, but think about yourself and let the others stand up for themselves, ok hun? You are sad but put yourself first and let things fall into place in their own time!! Love Rockchick09

• Don't back down and don't let your principal shut you up. Protest the school's treatment of the band.

• If you have student council members in band, talk to them. They can talk at the meetings about the problem.

• All I can say is you've got some writing to do! Get your band together, and each write letters to the editor of your local paper, letters to your principal, letters to your local council, and all people in your town! Explain the situation, and how you think it's unfair that there's no effort whatsoever to help your band. Or, hold a concert in the park. Try every way you can to get money. Use your talent for music. You never know, your town may turn music mad! God luck from a fellow music lover! -(aka Leea, 13 New Zealand)

• Try speaking up again, meeting alone with the pricipal, and explaining what's up. if you don't get a chance, write down a note and stick it to his door or whatever. Hope it'll help!

• Dear music lover, I'm a band student too, but we are a known marching band. I think maybe you guys should get together and talk to your prinipal because that is very unfair and if you talk to students that are not in band I'm sure they will think the same.

• So, try to compromise and tell him or her band is just as imporant as sports. I hope I helped a little. -Hoover band girl, Cherry

• Try and get all of the band members to get their parents to write letters explaining their concern about this matter and how biased and unfair it is, then see if that makes a difference. If not I suggest doing a petition in your school. Then, if that doesn't work, go out into the community and show the petition to them and get as many signatures as possible. Hopefully that will make a difference.

• The principal can't keep you from doing a fundraiser. He can only keep you from doing a fundraiser on school property. While you need a license to sell things in the street or in a park, this will be easy to get. So go ahead and get the other band kids together and do something informal. You'll still get the money.

• Hey music lover, I know exactly what you mean! In our school the rugby boys get everything but the netball girls get nothing at all. Maybe you could all write a letter to the principal of your school saying you feel that the school is devoted to sports and everyone should get a fair chance at what they want to do. Hope it helps!- x

• You guys should just start a fundraiser of your own and make sure everyone knows that it is all going for a band trip.

• The principal evidently has a huge problem. I am a rock chick myself and sympathise that your sports team gets all the money! If the principal still doesn't agree' then he's a stuck-up twerp and not worth talking to anyway!

• Dear Music Lover, Why not write a petition, and get as many signatures of teachers and pupils as you can, and send it to the principal? What is happening in your town is really unfair to your band, and it's got to change. This is the case in a lot of places nowadays, but with strong leadership and dedication you should be able to change this injustice. Why not go from door to door and explain why you need the money, and try to get as many townspeople signing your petition as well? And also, instead of holding a fundraiser, why not just go from door to door and get as much money as possible? There are so many options for you to choose, but remember you need a lot of commitment if you're going to change the way things go in your town. Good luck! Laurie-Ann :)

• Hi music lover! Get your band together and head to the office. Ask the principal why he has not let you and the band have a fundraiser. He may have a different idea but listen closely to what he has to say. Ask your band teacher if he can ask the principal some questions, too. On the other hand, sports have prices like gas, and food and many other things. But that DOES NOT mean that band should not have a fundraiser....Good Luck!! Love, Smartgirl 14

• My school is big on sports, too, but the band is funded almost equally (we just have issues with tax-payers). Write a letter to the superintendent of your school district, send in a petition... do the whole nine yards. If they still say "no" (which would be incredibly stupid, to put it bluntly), write to the board of education. If it's just a small fundraiser, why should they ban it? The band is an important part of the school!

• Small country towns are run by men, most of whom enjoy sports.

• At least you have a school to go to. -Megs

• I feel the same! My town is mad on sports, too! I suggest you could make a poster and people could sign up if they want a fundraiser and the principal might agree then.

Thanks to all of you that gave your advice! Please give your advice for this week's issue.