then that is why it is so low, you have to do a lot of fundraisers!!!

Try checking profiles for the school they go to, it's not in everyones though....

Yea we got a new director and our Drumline fee's did go up. Although we get to go to hollywood and watch tv shoes.....they pay us to watch them, Not bad huh? Well personally i love drumline and im not letting no fee's get in my way, drumming is the ONLY way.

AMEN BROTHA!!!!!!!

WOW!! your getting a deal

Im not sure if some of you pay attention to booster paperwork but just to let you know, the top bands (well known and traveled) expenses for a year are well over $100,000 per year. This is both semesters. so it breaks out this way

District money ZERO (They charge for transportation as well)
Fund Raiser (only about 35% participation in all fund raisers)
Out of pocket (the remainder of the costs.)

so do the math

divide the total number of participants by the(total costs-fund raisers) = cost per student.
Its best to take both of the semesters seperate. Because marching band most of em just do concert/jazz 2nd semester, which will be quite a bit less costs than drumline and guard.
I got this from asking around and visiting some band web sites that disclose all costs for parents and students.....

the band fees whether it be outdoor or indoor season are ridiculously expensive i dont care what anyone says...its outrageous to ask that much of a kid and their parents....i felt so bad for my dad during field season..and now i cant do indoor cuz of the money.....its crazy....its sad too...such a fun activity ruined for many kids because not all of us come from upper middle class rich business families....

This year we have to pay $630. We're going to Vegas, Fresno, San Francisco, and San Diego, plus our uniform and transportation is included.

Of all things, transportation is THE WORST! It literally costs an arm and a leg to take a school bus to ONE competition... Get this: this year, our drumline is taking 4 9-seater vans to all of our competitions, everywhere. The cost of taking ONE school bus to ONE competition is STILL higher than the vans for the ENTIRE YEAR!

Our school gives us jack crap as far as funds to the entire music program, and our Booster program sadly isn't very strong. Not enough parents contribute to the program, and it hinders us in the financial department. Same goes for fundraisers that DL members do... not enough people participate, so that's less money for the Boosters and more money for us.

About the sueing over financial reasons, what does that consist of? Basically you can sue if you can't be in a group because of the financial dedication?

3,500 for the year, for our guard.

[quote=Our school gives us jack crap as far as funds to the entire music program, and our Booster program sadly isn't very strong. Not enough parents contribute to the program, and it hinders us in the financial department. Same goes for fundraisers that DL members do... not enough people participate, so that's less money for the Boosters and more money for us.

About the sueing over financial reasons, what does that consist of? Basically you can sue if you can't be in a group because of the financial dedication?[/quote]

As the Egg well knows even with a strong booster organization the costs are still extreme. It takes strong support from parents, boosters, students and staff. Most districts dont give a cent to band programs as they are considered non essential for the educational needs of a High School. We used to get a transportation fund from the district but that is now gone. Heck the teachers seem to have a hard time letting band kids go to events but if it were football I doubt it would raise a fuss.

I have seen some band trailers with corporate logos on them (corporate sponsorship). This looks to be the future for field band competition.

Not sure if you can sue over something that is purely a extra. Band is offered year round and 2nd semester costs are usually only for drumline and guard.

The next choice is not to go to any competitions just interdistrict and that would not be a realistic option.