Yep, you described my small rural school to a T. We have band or art as an elective for 6th grade. Most kids overwhelmingly choose art because they don't have to do anything but lay around and goof off (quote from the principal). This year a lot of kids in art wanted out of art the 2nd semester and wanted to get in band because the new art teachers actually make them do work and behave. I'm in a community where a lot of kids don't want to do anything. Even when it comes to athletics, kids are in it but don't put out a lot of effort and lose most of their games. I can't blame the kids totally, though. Many of the adults don't work even though there are many job vacancies and many don't value education. In spite of all of this, we still have a successful band program as far as UIL ratings. But, we have really low numbers. The numbers were low for decades before I even got here so I truly believe it just fits into the community culture.