Broad Run High School Marching Spartans

Transcription

1 Broad Run High School Marching Spartans Marching Band Handbook for Parents

2 Contents Introduction... 4 Important Dates for Band Season Mark Your Calendar Now!... 4 Committing to Band Camp... 4 Band Camp Schedule... 4 Fall Performance Calendar... 5 Marching Band Camp... 5 Required Forms... 5 Essential Supplies... 5 Attire... 6 Band Camp Volunteers... 6 First Aid... 6 Color Guard... 6 Percussion... 6 Rookie Days Band Camp Details... 6 Lunch and Snacks... 7 Photo Day... 7 Uniforms... 7 Payments... 9 Band Camp Potluck Banquet... 9 After Camp, but Prior to Start of School... 9 Marching Band Season... 9 Uniforms at Performances... 9 Required Items... 9 Football Game Volunteers Home Football Games Playoff Performances After School Rehearsal Schedule Saturday Competitions Page 2

3 Gear Parents and Volunteers Competition Awards Judging Criteria* Competition Volunteers Communications Volunteering How YOU Can Help VBODA State Marching Band Assessment Banquets Beyond Marching Band Special Concert Attire Other Performances Fundraisers TAG Day Spartan Spectacular Spring E-fundraiser Ongoing Efforts Conclusion Contact Information Page 3

4 Introduction Welcome to the Broad Run High School Marching Spartans! This handbook was created by the Broad Run High School Band Boosters Association (BRHS BBA) for parents of Marching Band members and is a supplement to the Broad Run Marching Spartans Student Handbook that we provide to our students. Information, important dates, and forms can also be found at We also recommend that parents and students alike join the Broad Run Band Boosters Association Facebook Group as an alternate source of information and access to the photos that we share after activities and events. Important Dates for Band Season Mark Your Calendar Now! Committing to Marching Band The Marching Band Commitment Meeting is held near the end of each May when commitment forms and a deposit is due for the next season. This year s Commitment Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Broad Run High School Cafeteria. Band Camp Schedule (Attendance is Required) August 3 & 4 Rookies and Leadership 8:00 am 12:00 pm August 8-12 Full Band Rehearsal 8:00 am 5:00 pm August 15 & 16 Full Band Rehearsal 8:00 am 5:00 pm August 18 &19 Full Band Rehearsal Times TBA August Full Band Rehearsal Times TBA Fall Performance Schedule (Attendance is Required Dates Subject to Change) August 26 Home Football Game v. Potomac Falls Report time TBA August 27 Parent Preview Show and Lunch Banquet Report time TBA September 2 Home Football Game v. Wakefield Stay After School September 9 Home Football Game v. Langley Stay After School September 16 Home Football Game v. Centreville Stay After School September 17 Millbrook High School Report time TBA September 23 Home Football Game v. Briar Woods Stay After School September 24 Herndon High School Report time TBA October 7 Home Football Game v. Yorktown Stay After School October 14 Home Football Game v. Stone Bridge Stay After School October 15 Competition, TBA Report time TBA October 22 JMU Parade of Champions Report time TBA October 28 Home Football Game v. Robinson Stay After School October 29 VBODA Marching Band Assessment Report time TBA Page 4

5 Marching Band Camp Required Forms The following forms must be turned in on the first day of Rookie Camp (newcomers)/band Camp (returning marchers): School Day Extended Day Field Trip Permission Form Music Emergency Permission Acknowledgment of Risk Form Authorization for Prescription and OTC Medication These forms and any Marching fee balance will be collected by Boosters volunteers upon arrival at the band room. Essential Supplies BIG water bottle (we recommend the Bubba) Sun block Bug spray Instruments and Instrument Accessories Marching drill markers (poker chips or duct tape work great) Music and Marching Drill Book (provided by the Band Program) Comfortable, breathable clothing (BRHS dress code applies) Light snacks Hat Sunglasses Extra light colored, clean shirts Lace up shoes (No sandals/flip flops on the field, You will not march in inappropriate footwear.) Socks Gold Bond powder (to prevent chafing don t ask) Golf gloves (to prevent blisters, if needed) Valve oil Extra reeds Lip Balm Deodorant Hard candy Pencils Eat a good, healthy breakfast each morning! Page 5

6 Attire Dress according to the weather. If it is hot outside, DO NOT WEAR BLACK. Light colored clothes in breathable material are best for Marching Band Camp. Tank tops and sleeveless tops are ok as long as they are in accordance with LCPS Dress Code/Rules and Regulations no sports bras worn alone, midriff or bikini tops! Shorts are recommended for extremely hot days. Remember to follow school guidelines regarding appropriate length of shorts. Socks and comfortable sneakers Sandals/flip flops are not to be worn on the marching band field. You will not march if you do not have appropriate footwear. Band Camp Volunteers There are several daily jobs that will require parent volunteers in order for camp to run smoothly. An to sign up for these positions will be sent out prior to the start of camp. First Aid Throughout Band Camp, football games, and competitions, a Boosters volunteer will be designated to be our first aid contact. We are able to provide a minimal level of first aid: provide ice packs and bandages, notify parents as required, and distribute Tylenol or parent-supplied prescription medication (only if Authorization for Prescription and OTC Medication has been submitted). Color Guard Color Guard rehearsal sessions will be held throughout the summer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning on June 21 st from 5:00 7:30 p.m. with the location(s) TBA due to ongoing construction at Broad Run High School. Color Guard members should make every effort to attend these meetings, unless out of town or due to illness. Mandatory rehearsal sessions will begin with Band Camp. Percussion Non-mandatory percussion rehearsals will be held during the summer, with scheduled sessions TBA. Percussion members should make every effort to attend these rehearsals, unless out of town or due to illness. We do anticipate holding mandatory percussion rehearsal sessions just prior to Band Camp, and will announce these dates as soon as scheduling permits. Rookie Days The Wednesday and Thursday prior to the start of Band Camp are known as Rookie Days. These rehearsal days are specifically held for all new marchers. Beginners to marching band will start learning basic/foundational marching techniques and commands, and will also begin building confidence and camaraderie. Participants will need to bring their own lunches and snacks these two days Band Camp Details Marching Band Camp is three weeks, Monday Friday. On time is late! Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time. Consider arranging carpooling with other parents. Camp is mandatory and any absences require approval from the Band Director as far in advance as possible Page 6

7 Marchers are introduced to the season s field show and will begin learning the music and drill. The Band Director will make the music available prior to band camp so that marchers may familiarize themselves with it and practice in advance. Marchers will be provided with a drill book and a lanyard at the beginning of camp and are required to wear the drill book around their neck at each rehearsal throughout the season. If the drill book is lost, the marcher will be required to make a new one. Initially, the band will break off into their sections to practice the music and eventually the entire band will begin to perform together. During the first few days of band camp, drill will focus around basics, and marchers will be introduced to the show drill slowly as the camp/season continues. Band Camp is exciting, but also hard work! Your child will be very tired after a long day. It is very important for everyone to eat a healthy dinner each night, to drink plenty of hydrating beverages, and to get enough sleep each night. The culmination of all the hard work during band camp is a performance for family and friends followed by a potluck banquet (the first of three in the band season) on the first Saturday after the conclusion of camp. There will be a rehearsal prior to the field show. The times for the rehearsal, performance, and banquet will be announced. Lunch and Snacks During Rookie Days, the Band Boosters will provide a light snack during the day. Marchers should bring their own lunch and additional snacks. During full-day Band Camp for all marchers, the Band Boosters will provide lunch, snacks, and water Monday Friday. We will need volunteers to assist with serving lunch, drinks and snacks! The Band Boosters will take over the school cafeteria to prepare and serve a full lunch every day. Snacks and water are provided during half-day camp sessions, as well. Though the Band Boosters provide snacks, you may want to consider sending your marcher/color guard member with additional light snacks such as granola bites and other healthy snacks. Photo Day The full band, each instrument section, Color Guard, and individuals will be photographed for the school yearbook, the football program, and for family purchase during Band Camp, typically during the second week of Band Camp. Marchers will wear their band uniforms. Color Guard will wear a black practice uniform (see below). Information, including any forms, will be distributed to students prior to Picture Day. Uniforms The BRHS Band Uniform for Winds/Percussion consists of: Jacket, pants, black gloves, black socks, black shoes, show shirt, and shako. Marchers will be fitted for their uniform during camp. The school will provide the uniforms and they will be stored in the band closet Page 7

8 Marchers will also be fitted for Dinkles (shoes) and gloves for their personal use. You are responsible for buying your shoes and gloves. Be on the lookout for the ordering day. Gloves are around $3 a pair and shoes are around $30. Ordering a back up pair of gloves is strongly recommended. Long black socks are necessary as well; we recommend you purchase several pairs. The generic type you can buy in packs of six or more are fine. Students are expected to treat uniforms and all uniform parts/accessories with great care. All pieces should be hung on hangers when not in use. For performances, it is expected that all hair be worn up underneath the shako this applies for both male and female Marching Spartans. Please be sure to have an effective strategy for achieving this. Band/Show shirt and shorts: These are worn under the marching band uniform during performances, and the band/show shirt is also worn at various events throughout the season. Each participant is provided with a show shirt during Band Camp. This year, all marchers will also be provided with one pair of shorts. Show shirt and short sizes are selected on the Marching Band & Color Guard Commitment Form that is completed in May. Other items: Additional shirts will be available for sale from our Band Merchandise Shop, open for a limited time early in the season, so feel free to support the Spartans and order shirts for the entire family! Duffle bags, hoodies, and jackets can also be ordered. Watch for more information soon. The Color Guard wears a one-piece costume, opaque black tights, black shoes, black fingerless gloves and hair in a neat bun with a scrunchie. Color Guard uniforms will be fitted for and ordered separately from band uniforms. Until the uniforms are ordered and come in, each performer will be required to purchase, on their own, a practice uniform usually consisting of a solid black t-shirt, black Soffe shorts (worn with black bicycle shorts) and black socks. All Guard members MUST wear skin-tone fingerless gloves, regardless of whether they are on the rifle line or not. Gloves are around $12. Black jazz shoes will be ordered. Guard members must bring their show shirts to all performances to wear over top of their uniforms when eating. Guard members are not to wear jewelry this is for your own safety. Hair should be neatly pulled back into a tight bun. Use any and all means necessary to ensure that your hair does not fall out during a performance. Nothing is more distracting than a random scrunchie/hair piece lying in the middle of the field. Any further questions about color guard should be director to Ashley Flock, Color Guard Instructor Page 8

9 Payments The total Marching Band fee for the year is $325 and BRHS BBA accepts cash, check or charge (via Square). If you paid only the $100 deposit at the Marching Band Commitment meeting in May, the balance of $225 will be due no later than the first day of Band Camp. A Band Boosters representative will be on hand at Band Camp to collect payments. Alternately, payments may be sent to: BRHS BBA Attn: Treasurer PO Box 1822 Ashburn, VA Band Camp Potluck Banquet The final Band Camp performance is followed by a potluck banquet. This is the first of three potluck banquets in the band season. A sign-up requesting set up/clean up assistance and food/drink items will be sent out prior to the banquet. The specific date and time will be announced via , at and on the Band Boosters Facebook page. Marching Band Season Uniforms at Performances In addition to their instrument, marchers are responsible for transporting their uniform bag, Dinkles (shoes), shako (hat), gloves, band/show shirt, band shorts, and long black socks (good to have two pairs) prior to each full dress performance. Color Guard uniforms will be kept in the band room. Performers are responsible for transporting their flags/rifles/sabres, black socks, jazz shoes, gloves and makeup. Pack a duffle bag! Marchers will change into their uniform prior to the performance. Larger instruments such as sousaphones and euphoniums are kept in the band room. Color Guard will arrive with hair done (hairstyles to be determined by instructors). They will change into their uniform and apply makeup prior to performance. Additional details are provided in the Spartan Home Football Games and the Saturday Competitions sections below. Required Items Marchers: Dinkles, gloves, band/show shirt, shorts, black socks, pep band folder Color Guard: Gloves, black socks, jazz shoes, makeup Instrument, flag/rifle/sabre (if not stored in band room) Duffle bag to hold above items Money (for third quarter break) **Note: Cell phones are NOT allowed at any time during football games Page 9

10 Football Game Volunteers There are several jobs that need parent volunteers before and during the football game. An to sign up for these positions will be sent out prior to the start of football season. Home Football Games The Marching Spartans will march to the field and play the National Anthem. Afterwards, they will move to their section in the stands. The band provides pep rally music from the stands during breaks in the football game, will perform their field show during half time, and will follow the football team off the field at the end of the game. Home football games are on Fridays. Note that the first home football game of the season is scheduled before the school year begins. Marchers should plan to wear their band/show shirt to school on the Fridays of home football games. There will be a rehearsal from 4:00 pm 5:30 pm prior to the game, and the Band Boosters will provide dinner from 5:30 pm 6:00 pm in the cafeteria. This dinner is locked in, meaning everyone will remain together in the school and no one will leave the premises. At 6:00 pm, the band will change into their uniforms, apply makeup (Color Guard) and proceed to the field at the appropriate time. Generally, games begin at 7:00 pm. Band members will have a break in the third quarter where they can take off part of their uniform (weather permitting) and visit the restrooms and the concession stand, so be sure to have money available for purchasing refreshments. Bibbers have pockets in which marchers can stash some cash. Parents are not required to attend, but football games are fun and a good way to observe the progress of the band s show. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket window outside the football field the day of the game. Your student may purchase tickets in advance for you during their lunch. Parking can be challenging especially for the Battle of the Burn game versus Stone Bridge and the Homecoming game, so arrive early. The Marching Spartan s personal cheering section sits in the bleacher section to the left of the Pep Band when facing the football field. This section provides a good view of the half-time performance. If available, pick up a game program as a first performance/year memento. Photos of the band and sections will be in the program. Expect band members to be finished between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm. Try to arrange a meeting place in advance; the area becomes dark quickly. The band will return to the band room to change and pack up. Marchers are responsible for returning and hanging their uniform in the band closet after each performance. The uniforms are kept in the band closet when not in use Page 10

11 Please Note! You may videotape the performance, but please refrain from posting the field show for viewing on any Internet site including your Facebook page or other social media sites. The shows are very competitive in nature and posting them can cause our band to lose any advantage and element of surprise the band may have. Please feel free to video for your own enjoyment and memories, but share them with family and friends AFTER the conclusion of the band season. Playoff Performances If the football team makes it to the playoffs, a pep band of available band members is assembled to perform in the stands during the playoff season. The Band Director will send out an with further information. After School Rehearsal Schedule As snacks are not provided, we recommend that your child pack one for rehearsal. Water will be available, so pack a water bottle. Wear appropriate attire for the weather. Monday: Sectionals (if needed) 4:00 to 6:00 pm Tuesday: Full Band 4:00 to 6:00 pm Wednesday: Full Band 4:00 to 6:00 pm Thursday: Full Band 4:00 to 6:00 pm Friday: no rehearsal unless there is a football game **Guard and Percussion sectionals dates and times TBA at a later time Saturday Competitions These are very long days, so plan accordingly. Students will meet at school and travel to the competition together by bus. They will return to school by bus after the competition awards ceremony is concluded. Competitions are mandatory! If your child is violently ill, please contact the Band Director immediately. A missing marcher leaves a hole in the performance and it will negatively affect the score at a competition. Gear Marchers are encouraged to pack a duffle bag with AT LEAST the items mentioned below. Marchers are responsible for transporting their uniform bag, Dinkles (shoes), shako (hat), band/show shirt, shorts, black socks (bring two pairs), gloves and instrument. Color Guard performers are responsible for transporting their uniform bag, black socks, jazz shoes, gloves, makeup, and flag/rifle/sabre, and should have their hair done prior to arriving. Note: Parent volunteers will carry the plumes and gauntlets. The Band Trailer will be loaded and a parent volunteer will drive it to and from the competition. Check the weather forecast and, if necessary, pack a blanket or warmer clothing for the bus ride and/or to wear in the stands after the band s performance. Marchers may wear warmer clothing under their band uniform; however, it must be hidden under the uniform. Judges may take deductions if under Page 11

12 clothing is visible. (Tuck those sweatpants legs into your socks!) Food will be available for purchase at most competitions, so bring money. Parents and Volunteers Check the weather forecast! Waiting in football stadiums for your band to perform is not only long, but can be very cold, consider wearing extra layers or bring blankets/hand warmers, in addition to that good book, needlepoint project, or similar to help keep you entertained during down time. If you have signed up to volunteer at competitions (e.g. pit crew, chaperone, etc.), you will receive an prior to the competition with instructions on where and when to report. You will be required to stay with the band during the entire competition. If you are not volunteering, but plan to attend the competition, be sure to bring money to purchase entry ticket(s), program, etc. These events are not free entry. Local competitions can cost around $10 to $15 per person; out of the area competitions can cost $20 $50 per person. Local competitions typically accept only cash. Sometimes souvenir programs, t-shirts, patches, and/or videos are available for purchase at competitions. If it rains, the competition will be moved indoors. The performance movements will be limited by space. No audio or video of the performances are permitted; still photography is permitted. Competition Awards Awards are presented in the following categories: Best Music Best Visual Best Effect Best Color Guard Best Percussion Judging Criteria* The following explains how the judging process works for most competitions. Using a caption system, seven judges are involved in the final ranking of the bands. Four judges evaluate the music performance and three judges evaluate the visual performance. Music Performance: Individual. This judge evaluates the technical accuracy of the performance on the field based on how well the wind and percussion performers play together and the difficulty of the music being performed. Visual Performance: Individual. This judge watches the marching performance and gives a score based on accuracy, individual body and instrument carriage, visual difficulty, and the frequency Page 12

13 of the difficulty, with respect to marching and maneuvering. Music Performance: Ensemble. This judge evaluates the musical performance based on accuracy and uniformity of the performers on the field. This judge considers the technical accuracy, intonation, and tone quality of the musicians on the field. Visual Performance: Ensemble. This judge evaluates the technical proficiency in marching. This evaluation is based on how well the marchers perform, the difficulty of the visual demands placed on the marchers, and how well the marching program is put together. General Effect: Music. These judges (2) evaluate how musically the performers play, how effective their performance is, and how well the whole program is coordinated to present a unified production. General Effect: Visual. This judge has the difficult task of determining how well the entire visual program including the drill, marching, and formations, affect the overall visual aspect of the show, as well as how well the group sells the show to the audience. **Information obtained from the James Madison University Parade of Champions Program A note about Class Levels: Bands will only compete against other bands within their Class. The performances are scheduled in Class order where Class A bands compete first, AA second, etc. There is a break between changes in Class or in the middle of a Class with more than six bands competing. Each Class level has its own awards. Class levels (A, AA, AAA, AAAA, AAAAA) are determined differently between VBODA competitions and USBand competitions. Class levels are determined by the overall size of the band; however, in some competitions, the size of the color guard is included in this number and in others, the size of the color guard is excluded. Competition Volunteers There will be a sign-up sheet at the Band Camp potluck banquet for several parent volunteer positions needed during Saturday performances. You will be notified by in the week prior to a competition if you are selected to help on the upcoming Saturday. Freshman parents are encouraged to sign up, as it will give them an opportunity to meet other band parents and understand what goes on behind the scenes on competition days. If you sign up to Chaperone, you will ride on the bus and have free entry to the event, but you must stay with the band at all times. Depending on the size of the band, chaperone spots are limited and we try to give everyone who wants to chaperone a chance at doing so Page 13

14 Communications Our Website - All forms, event dates, and announcements will be posted on our website please bookmark it and consider it as the virtual home of the Band and the Boosters program. The addresses that have been provided on the Marching Band Commitment Form will be our first line of direct communication with everyone in the program You may also contact the Band Boosters Board via with any questions, comments or concerns our Board directory is posted at the end of the handbook. Remind We use the Remind text message system to send out alerts (i.e. our arrival at the school will be earlier/later than expected) and reminders. The Remind system will be reset at the end of each Marching Season. We recommend that all parents and students should sign up for Remind, using the infographic that follows as instructions Page 14

15 Private Facebook Group - If you use Facebook, students and parents alike should join the private Broad Run Band Boosters Association Facebook group. Important announcements, volunteer sign-ups, photos, videos, and more are posted here. However, remember that this group is for band students, Band Boosters members, alumni and the instructional team only. Public Facebook Page - The Band Boosters maintain a public Facebook page for publicity purposes tell your friends and extended family about it! We post details about performances, fundraising, Dining for Dollars, and more here. Other Social Media Twitter and Broad Run Band Boosters additionally have a presence on Twitter and Instagram. Follow us! Volunteering How YOU Can Help Please keep an eye on your for requests for volunteers through Sign Up Genius. We will also notify families of our volunteer opportunities on our web site, s and Facebook page. VBODA State Marching Band Assessment This is the first step to achieving the designation of Virginia Honor Band. Bands receiving a superior rating in both marching and concert festival will receive this designation. Banquets The first Marching Band Potluck Banquet is at the end of Band Camp prior to the start of school. There is a second Marching Band Potluck Banquet after the end of marching band season usually in November. Special awards are presented. Also, near the end of May is the Band End of Year Potluck Banquet, which recognizes members of the Marching Band, Color Guard, concert bands, and graduating seniors Page 15

16 Beyond Marching Band All Marching Band musicians perform in one or more of the high school bands as part of their curriculum during the school year. Some of our Marching Band participants also choose to participate in our afterschool winter competitive groups: Indoor Drumline and Winter Guard. Performances are scheduled throughout the year including: Winter Concert, Band Pre Assessment Concert, AIA Indoor Drumline/Winter Guard Championships, VA State Concert Band Assessment, Spartan Spectacular, Cluster Concert, Jazz on the Lake, Spring Concert, Senior Awards Ceremony, and Graduation. Some of these performances will require one or two after school rehearsals prior to the concert. Special Concert Attire Special concert attire is required for the concert bands; fittings and orders are completed at the beginning of the school year. Other Performances Individual performance opportunities take place throughout the school year including: District Band Auditions, District Jazz Band Auditions, Solo & Ensemble Festival, and All VA State Band Auditions (if eligible). Fundraisers Student fees only go so far in providing the financial support that the Broad Run Band Program needs to operate. Up to $80,000 per year must come from other sources. It is vital to the program that all students and all parents participate in our fundraisers. In general, it is very helpful for you to share information about our events with your family, friends and neighbors (an example of this is to share invitations on your Facebook page or work bulletin board). Traditionally, we have had key fundraisers spaced over the course of the year. These are outlined below: TAG Day Tag Day is one of the three largest fundraisers of the year in terms of time, outreach and donations. In one Saturday (usually in September), over one hundred band students and their family members reach out to over a thousand Ashburn area friends and neighbors, and seek to bring in over ten thousand dollars. All students and a parent from each family need to participate in order to facilitate this event. The event is called Tag Day because we leave hang tags with our performance schedules on them with homeowners or hanging on their doors Page 16

17 Here is a brief overview of what to expect, and of course, more information will be available closer to the date. Everyone meets in the band room at a designated time to go over logistics (including a script of what to say, directions on collecting donations, a door-hangar for each house, and a map of assigned area to cover). A parent drives a group of students to an assigned Broad Run neighborhood, and assists with receipts and money collection as needed. Students wear band clothing and play their instruments or provide visuals with flag/rifle; students engage people in the neighborhood, and ask for support from each house. Students represent the band in the community and are expected to be positive and gracious. When the assigned route is completed, the group returns to the band room to submit collected funds, re-fuel with a provided lunch, and receive another assignment. By mid-to late-afternoon, most routes are covered. Spartan Spectacular Spartan Spectacular has historically been our largest event and fundraiser of the year, requiring all hands on deck. This event is an Indoor Drumline and Winter Guard competition hosted by Broad Run in conjunction with the Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA). Each year, schools must apply to host the event, and we have been fortunate for to have been chosen as one of the venues for seven of the past eight years, due to the effort and professionalism of our staff, students and parents. The event is typically held for an entire long Saturday in March (with set up the night before). The preparation and planning for a typical Spartan Spec begins many months in advance by the school s and music department s staff, board and parents. We organize and execute all aspects of the event from publicity to traffic flow (cars, equipment and people), from ticketing to catering, from installation of the competition space, to running concessions in the cafeteria for three full meals. In March 2015, the Spartan Spectacular event hosted over 2,500 people, over 60 teams of competitors, and netted over $13,000. Over 100 volunteers from the band program, the school and the community spent over 1,000 hours to make this amazing event possible. We will make an announcement regarding hosting selection and a 2017 date in the fall, and we will initiate early planning stages shortly thereafter, if we are selected. Spring E-fundraiser Tag Day and Spartan Spectacular draw most of their support from the Broad Run and Ashburn communities (as do competitors from other high schools across the region). In contrast, our spring fundraiser involves our own friends, family, supporters and alumni from all across the nation. Backed by Boosters planning and organization, we ask our band students and parents to utilize , our website, social media, and other communications to reach out to friends and family for donations to our cause. Through this type of appeal, we have raised several thousand dollars Page 17

18 Ongoing Efforts In addition to the big three mentioned above, several other smaller, fundraisers take place throughout the year. For example, we have a very successful and fun program that we call Dining for Dollars, in which local restaurants agree to give the band a portion of their sales on a specific day and time. In return, we advertise the dining event locally and/or show up to eat. (Sometimes our students even perform!) Some of our most popular Dining for Dollars events are hosted by Chin-Chin Café, Meadows Frozen Yogurt, Chipotle, Potbelly, Uncle Maddio s and Buffalo Wing Factory, also some of our most loyal sponsors. Our goal is to limit the instances where students are asked to do individual fundraising for the Band Boosters program. These instances will include: August: The LoCo Saver card (a credit-card sized collections of freebies and coupons good at various local businesses in Loudoun County). November: Wreaths/trees/holiday greens Conclusion The Marching Band family is a close knit group. If you have a question and cannot find the answer in this primer or the handbook, please do not hesitate to speak to another parent or someone in the Band Boosters. We are a welcoming and friendly group, and we are happy that you will be a part of it. When graduating Seniors speak at the end of year banquet, they are often heard describing band as a rewarding experience, one where they found their niche, or felt at home. It is where they grew up and learned to face fears and obstacles, learned discipline, time management and leadership skills, and where they formed lifelong friendships. Many move on to pursue interests in music or find a college l that fits their career interests AND has a marching band. Often, siblings follow in their footsteps. We hope you and, most importantly, your child will find the band experience equally rewarding! Page 18

19 Contact Information Mailing Address: BRHS BBA PO Box 1822 Ashburn, VA Website: Directory: Full Board Officers: Carolyn Renshaw President Tammie Willenbrock Vice President, Communications Laura White Vice President, Fundraising Jeanine Gallagher Vice President, Student Services Donna Vanik Vice President, Volunteers Kory Fierstine Treasurer Kelly Cieslak Secretary Page 19