BOULDER, Colo. -- Some of the woods and strings could get the axe in Boulder as the school district struggles with a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall.

District leaders are considering six options, most involving a reduction in the amount of time fifth-graders spend in music classes.

One choice would combine music classes, another would eliminate instrumental music altogether.

Band supporters say any cuts would reduce the number of students willing to put the necessary time in to master an instrument in middle and high school.

“With that scenario in place where they haven’t started in fifth-grade there would be a vast reduction in the number of students that pick up an instrument for the first time in sixth grade. And then, obviously that has a cumulative effect on the secondary programs,” Travis Keller, band director at Fairview High.

TheDenverChannel spent a few minutes Tuesday listening to the concert band practice.

Keller said “virtually all” of the 52 students in practice took band in fifth grade.

But the situation is grim for BVSD, needing to trim $10 million to $18 million by the time the 2010-2011 budget is approved in late June.

“When you have to make the kind of cuts we are, we’re not trimming fat. We’re cutting to the bone in some places. And these are very tough calls,” said BVSD spokesman Briggs Gamblin.

The superintendent has to give a final recommendation on the budget to the board by May 25, with the approved budget due at the end of June.