FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why does my student have to fundraise?
2. Why have I been asked to work the football concessions?
3. What do the Band Boosters do for the Middle School?
4. How will all of this benefit my child?

The Southaven Band Boosters is an organization dedicated to supporting the Band Director and all of the Southaven School Band programs throughout the year. We are a hands-on organization and undertake a wide variety of activities to raise funds and provide whatever it takes to make the band program a success.

The band program does not begin at the ninth grade level. It starts at the 6^th grade level. Funds raised by the students and entrusted to the booster organization are used to further the progress of the entire program. Funds have been used to bring in prominent instructors to our area to promote the growth and skills of the individual students both at the middle school and high school levels. Chartered transportation is made available at all levels. Trophies and medals are funded to encourage and reward hard work and to recognize personal achievements at all levels. Instruments such as tubas, timpani, marimba, etc., are purchased to provide students the opportunity to play an instrument they otherwise could never afford.

Historically the Southaven Band program has been primarily funded by the upper classman. Their fundraising efforts have benefited those who have followed after them. Without their efforts there would be no uniforms, instruments or general fund to assist with travel and transportation needs. As the program has grown and continues to set record numbers of enrollment it will be necessary for everyone to work together to ensure that the needs of this program are met. It will not be feasible or possible for the upper classman to fundraise enough money to purchase 100 uniforms in one year to accommodate the upcoming 7^th and 6^th grade classes.

It generally takes five to eight years to raise enough money to purchase 150 uniforms much less 100 to 200 in one year. The cost of a band uniform ranges from $340-$400. The cost to dress out the 6^th grade class alone would be $78,400. We must begin now to plan for tomorrow and purchase additional uniforms over the next four years to accommodate the growth we are experiencing. We think that this is a great problem to face but we must work together to ensure the success of this program.

As this program continues to build upon its successes the benefits will multiply for your students. Your student will be challenged physically, mentally, and musically. It will promote virtues like honesty, decency, courage, pride, musicianship and public spirit. It can also lead to monetary rewards such as college scholarships.

The football concessions have provided a source to raise money for the general fund. The Band Boosters work both Middle School and High School football games. A joint effort will make this source of fundraising less burdensome.

The purchase of a Kroger gift card will allow Kroger to payout a 5% rebate to the Booster organization on all purchases.

Watson Cleaners is willing to provide a 1% rebate to the band program just by asking for a band receipt when paying for your dry cleaning services.