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Boosters Winters Mill High School Music Boosters Association Hello! If your child is enrolled in an instrumental OR choral performance class (band, orchestra, percussion ensemble, marching band, chorus, advanced chorus, vocal ensemble, etc) OR you do not have a student enrolled in a music class but believe that music is an important part of a student’s education and are interested in the continued existence of a music department, you are invited to be a member of the WINTERS MILL HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BOOSTERS ASSOCIATION! What is the WINTERS MILL HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BOOSTERS ASSOCIATION? We’re glad you asked. It is an organization dedicated to supporting the instrumental and choral music students and their directors. Almost every high school music department has a booster organization. So, what is so special about the one at WINTERS MILL? First of all, unlike many other high school booster organizations, the WINTERS MILL HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BOOSTERS ASSOCIATION (WMMBA) supports BOTH the instrumental and choral programs. Isn’t that great? One organization supports the entire music department!!!! Special fact #2: The WMMBA is NOT JUST FOR MARCHING BAND What was that? Again: The WMMBA is not just for marching band. Many people are under the impression that the marching band gets the total attention of the booster organization and all of its money. At some other high schools, that is true. While marching band does seem to take a chunk out of the budget, it is only ONE of the ensembles that are supported by the WMMBA. So far, we’ve found out that the WMMBA is unique because it supports both the choral and instrumental programs, and it does not spend all of its budget on marching band. What else does this group do?
It’s very easy to take part in the activities of the WMMBA. For example, one of our biggest moneymakers is running the indoor concession stand at winter sporting events. Something as simple as manning the concession stand for one event of the season is a great help. Or, donating sodas or snacks to the concession stand would help cut down on our expenses and raise our profits. See how easy that would be? Another example: Say, for instance, we would like to have coffee and baked goods for sale at our concerts. You could be a salesperson, donate a bag of coffee, OR bake something for us to sell! Everyone could enjoy a yummy snack and an evening of music! How can you be aware of current information regarding the department? I. Meetings: You might not be aware of what the organization needs and how you can help if you don’t come to the meetings. WMMBA meetings are the first Thursday of every month at 7 pm in the chorus room. The meetings usually last about an hour, and they are painless!!! Your ideas and involvement would be very much appreciated. II. Newsletters: A booster newsletter is sent home at the end of every month for the UPCOMING MONTH. (We try to plan ahead of time!) In this newsletter, important information is included for the instrumental and choral programs. Please make sure to read the newsletter carefully. But still come to the meetings!!!!!!! III. Website: The Music Department website should be up and running when school starts. This is our first crack at it, so thank you for being patient while we work out the kinks. Please let us know if you have an idea about the website. We want to make it as viewer-friendly as possible. But still come to the meetings!!!!!!! Why is it important to have a booster organization and for you to be a part of it? Well, there are several answers to this question. If music is something that is important to your child, then your support is also important to them. Show them that you are interested in what they are doing and that you want to be a part of it. Music is so different than many other activities. It is an area of communication and expression for your child, and has the possibility of great accomplishment and growth. Know and understand what is offered to them through the school, then explore outside opportunities. The music department does so many things outside of the school day that directors need parent help and support. All teachers give more time than they need to. Music teachers are no exception. There are marching band shows, evaluation festivals, involved field trips, performances, All County, All State, Solo and Ensemble Festival, community groups, musical theatre, and more! We need help!!! When preparing for festival, we’re not thinking about whether or not the tuxedo fits. Parents are very busy too, but if you help out with these types of activities, you can spend time with your child and family while you’re doing it. We need financial help too. Funding for the arts is not what it used to be. Everyone knows that Carroll County has come close to cutting elementary school music from the curriculum. Well, high schools are not getting the money they need, either. To give you an idea what we’re talking about, I will use the instrumental budget as an example. I get about $2000 from the county specifically designated for transportation. Between marching band shows and parades (within the county) and the field trips we take to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Towson University, the Marine Band, Peabody, Philadelphia Orchestra and more, this money is used up. That is money that students do not have to pay for the buses. From the school, I get about $600. This money goes fast on sheet music and instrumental repairs (does not cover all repairs). So where do I get the money for:
Answer: The boosters raise the money. The instrumental music department currently requires about $7800 a year. (Did you know that some other high schools have budgets of over $20,000? Some even $40,000?!?!?!?!?!?) This amount will go up gradually every year as our brand new instruments have to be replaced, more equipment has to be bought, and other needs arise. Were you under the impression that boosters raise money for “extras?” The boosters raise money for NECESSITIES. Without the boosters, there are no supplies to continue a program. Or, there are very poor resources, and the program does not run at an excellent level like it should. Students are deprived of materials that are absolutely essential to the success of a music program. If this sounds a bit melodramatic, it may be. But it is a very real possibility if we do not get more parental involvement in the WMMBA. The future of the boosters is up to you. In this letter, we have tried to give you a basic understanding of the purpose and function of the WMMBA; give you examples of activities that the boosters coordinate; show how simple it is to help in the smallest way; share with you three ways to get information regarding the department; and notify you of the physical and financial needs of the music programs. Please contact us by phone or email if you would like to know more about the WMMBA. Or, come to the meetings and share your thoughts with us. We hope that you have a better idea of the WMHSMBA and its purpose. We also know that students are involved in many activities. Often times, parents are running around and barely have time to catch up themselves. We are asking that you add one more thing to your list—a very important one. Please join us at our meetings, the first Thursday of every month. Musically, Caren Bezanson Kristen Stoetzer |
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