Band Fees
Each year the Band Director along with your Board of Directors determines the funds needed to sustain the program based on previous years expenses, expected expenses for the year, and the number of students we expect to have participating.
As a new band parent, it can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to enter the marching band world. No one likes fees, but marching band is an extracurricular activity. Think about baseball, baseball has costs/fees associated with clothing/gloves/bats/cleats/helmets as well as travel/food. Marching Band can be an expensive proposition. Gone are the days when the school districts pay for all those extras that may have been covered when we all attended high school (this is usually a surprise to Rookie parents).
We are fortunate to live in a district where some of the expenses are still covered by our district, but they do not provide enough and the majority of the expenses fall on the band booster organization and the parents.
The expenses associated with a marching band season include (but may not be limited to):
It all adds up to thousands of dollars!
One of our biggest single costs each year is staff. While the district funding does not provide us with more than one teacher, we are extremely fortunate to collect funds to provide additional staff so that we may offer a full comprehensive band program. We typically have 8-10 instructional staff members assist during and camp. During the season we have 3-5 staff members assisting at practices and competitions. Each instructor is a specialist and assigned to a specific category of instruction: front ensemble percussion, battery percussion, color guard, marching and movement. Our staff is a very important component in our ability to effectively teach our students the many skills needed to achieve a high level of excellence and success.
That leaves what the parents cover. The first year is the biggest hit. The marching band footwear can be used for all 4 years in high school (assuming they don’t outgrow or lose them!). Color guard parents do have the extra cost of costumes each year, but the band parents have the extra cost of instruments and instrument upkeep since many of our band members are playing their own personal instruments. Then there are trip expenses, activity fees, show shirts, private lessons, etc. It can all add up pretty quickly !
So, yes marching band is expensive.
The Enka District Band Parents Inc, (aka, the band boosters) is a non-profit organization therefore, our budget is for a zero profit or loss. Band fees are kept as low as possible to ensure maximum participation. No student will be excluded for financial reasons however, communication is the key. If you have a special circumstance, please talk with Mr. Young or Mrs. Michelson (Booster president), it is your responsibility as a parent, along with your student, to communicate your need with us.
Please feel free to ask any questions along the way and attend booster meetings so you can see where every dollar goes.
kevin.young@bcsemail.org
kmichelson26@hotmail.com
As a new band parent, it can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to enter the marching band world. No one likes fees, but marching band is an extracurricular activity. Think about baseball, baseball has costs/fees associated with clothing/gloves/bats/cleats/helmets as well as travel/food. Marching Band can be an expensive proposition. Gone are the days when the school districts pay for all those extras that may have been covered when we all attended high school (this is usually a surprise to Rookie parents).
We are fortunate to live in a district where some of the expenses are still covered by our district, but they do not provide enough and the majority of the expenses fall on the band booster organization and the parents.
The expenses associated with a marching band season include (but may not be limited to):
- Technical staff and instructors
- Drill Design
- Music Arrangement
- Choreography
- Entry Fees for Competitions
- Props
- Equipment and repairs
- Uniform Maintenance and Repair
- Guard Uniforms
- Guard Flags
- Bus Drivers & gas for the buses
It all adds up to thousands of dollars!
One of our biggest single costs each year is staff. While the district funding does not provide us with more than one teacher, we are extremely fortunate to collect funds to provide additional staff so that we may offer a full comprehensive band program. We typically have 8-10 instructional staff members assist during and camp. During the season we have 3-5 staff members assisting at practices and competitions. Each instructor is a specialist and assigned to a specific category of instruction: front ensemble percussion, battery percussion, color guard, marching and movement. Our staff is a very important component in our ability to effectively teach our students the many skills needed to achieve a high level of excellence and success.
That leaves what the parents cover. The first year is the biggest hit. The marching band footwear can be used for all 4 years in high school (assuming they don’t outgrow or lose them!). Color guard parents do have the extra cost of costumes each year, but the band parents have the extra cost of instruments and instrument upkeep since many of our band members are playing their own personal instruments. Then there are trip expenses, activity fees, show shirts, private lessons, etc. It can all add up pretty quickly !
So, yes marching band is expensive.
The Enka District Band Parents Inc, (aka, the band boosters) is a non-profit organization therefore, our budget is for a zero profit or loss. Band fees are kept as low as possible to ensure maximum participation. No student will be excluded for financial reasons however, communication is the key. If you have a special circumstance, please talk with Mr. Young or Mrs. Michelson (Booster president), it is your responsibility as a parent, along with your student, to communicate your need with us.
Please feel free to ask any questions along the way and attend booster meetings so you can see where every dollar goes.
kevin.young@bcsemail.org
kmichelson26@hotmail.com