Each student in the band is given a student account to handle various charges required to operate the MHS Band. This account also accumulates credits when the student participates in fundraising activities or volunteers time at the MHS Concession Stand. As you may or may not be aware, the Berkeley County Board of Education does not provide adequate funding to operate the Band at a level that provides enrichment to your student. The funding provided by the Board of Education barely covers the hard costs to operate and transport the Band and provides no funding for Band Camp, additional instruction, maintenance and replacement of band uniforms, maintenance and expansion of the inventory of instruments owned by the Band (including Color Guard equipment), or all of the various activities provided to your student as part of the Band.
The Martinsburg High School Band Boosters, Inc. was formed in 1984 (likely earlier but incorporated in 1984) as a vehicle to provide the necessary funding required to operate the band to its full potential. The Boosters provide this funding through fundraising activities and through the operation of the Concession Stand at the Martinsburg High School athletic field. However, this activity requires manpower which has been generally lacking in recent years. Thus, a Band fee must be charged to help meet the gap between the funding required and the money raised through the efforts of our volunteers. In exchange, the students receive meals and snacks at band camp, professional instruction, two-band shirts, a professionally cleaned and maintained Band uniform, and Color Guard equipment for Color Guard members. The current band fee of $100 does not fully cover the per-child cost of these items. The remainder of this cost plus the cost of all activities during the school year is subsidized by the hard work of the Booster volunteers.
A (largely) complete list of potential charges are as follows:
- Band Fee = $100.00
- Rental Instrument = $25 (if required by student)
- Spring Trip = Not fully calculated at present but likely $150 to $350
The Band Fee is required of all students and each student is required to have and maintain appropriate marching shoes. These must be sourced by the student/parent directly through Ellsworth Music . The Rental Instrument Fee of $25 helps to offset the cost to maintain these instruments. The Band will provide normal maintenance but the student may be liable for damage due to negligence.
It is strongly encouraged for parents to attend the first Booster meeting of the year which will be determined shortly. This meeting will also serve as an introduction to the MHS Band Booster organization. There is much business to conduct after a long Summer break. The success of the Band program is dependent on volunteer help from the parents. Without it, all of the above charges are likely to increase. We have made every effort to lower these fees and eliminate cost as a barrier to participation in the Band. Sadly, the number of parents who give of their time has been insufficient to provide the robust fundraising required to eliminate the Band Fee. The surest way to reduce the cost of your child participating in the Band is to give some of your time and encourage other parents you may know to do the same. Many hands not only make for lighter work for all, but also open the door to new fundraising ventures which could potentially eliminate the out-of-pocket costs to students.