The following is a general description of what FSA funds are used for.

Each year we will program a customized competitive program for the Southaven High School Marching Band. Even the music will be arranged specifically for our strengths and weaknesses. We will also purchase music to play in the stands. This year our show music alone cost $4,000.00.

Each year we will also have a customized competitive drill (field movements) written for The Southaven High School Marching Band. The cost for customized drill written by a respected, proven expert may vary from $6,000.00 to $8,000.00. Included in this cost is visual consultation from other expert sources.

There are certain elements of our program that require attention and expertise additional to that of the staff employed by Southaven High School - specifically guard and percussion.

Instructors are also brought in to assist the permanent staff during this time of extensive instruction. At least one guard instructor and two percussion instructors will be brought in for these camps. The average cost for this kind of service is $250.00 per day per instructor plus room and board.

We will also make an attempt to bring in outside expert instruction during the season in order to evaluate and strengthen our overall program before our competitive season begins.

Often times there will be things we need that are not provided by the district. For example the props we may use in the field show will require hardware purchases. Other examples range from paint to postage.

We have outstanding individual musicians in the Southaven Band Program. The highest individual honor a Mississippi High School band student may achieve is that of membership in the All-State Band sponsored by the Lion’s Clubs of Mississippi. Each summer the All-State Band trains for two weeks and then travels to the Lion’s International Convention for competition. The cost for such an experience, especially if the band travels overseas, can be overwhelming to an individual family. The Southaven students who make the band have worked extremely hard and dedicated themselves to individual and group accomplishment. They also represent OUR Band Program. We believe we should set aside a certain amount of funds to assist them and their families in this endeavor.

We are fortunate to have dedicated professionals instructing our students on a daily basis. We also believe in taking advantage of Professional Development opportunities in order to strengthen their professional capabilities. Annual training conventions and clinics are held throughout the United States at various times of the year. We would like to be able to send our teachers to at least one of these events per year.

We do receive a certain amount of money each year from the school district for the purchase of new equipment and supplies. Though it is as generous as the district can be at this time, it is not enough to meet the needs of an organization the size of ours. A single Sousaphone may cost up to $4,500. A Marimba may cost up to $5,000.00. If we have eight students who play tuba but only 6 tubas on inventory, a student’s musical education and the contribution he/she may make to our organization is then put in jeopardy.