2011 Marching Band/Color Guard Parent Letter

Important Information for all Marching Band and Color Guard Parents

Overview

Welcome to the 2011 Aliso Niguel High School Marching Band and Color Guard. The Marching Band activity is a competitive musical sport – providing a performance avenue for students at competitions, which are held throughout California and the nation. This season we will be competing against other schools with bands of similar size in 2 marching band circuits (MBOS and SCSBOA) in competitions held in Southern California.

Financial Contributions

The Music Booster organization’s cost to run the Marching Band program exceeds $145,000 – which translates to over $1,300 per student. We’re planning to raise a significant amount of these funds together with hard work through our fundraisers … but it still leaves a significant shortfall. While every student has a place in the Marching Band program, without respect to their ability to contribute financially – we are dependent on our families for assistance in our fundraising efforts and support through your donations. A voluntary tax-deductible* donation of $750 is appreciated to help offset the costs associated with a member of the 2011 ANHS Marching Band. Budgeted expenses per member are listed below.

Without your support through donations and fundraising efforts, our excellent programs will cease to exist. The school district provides ZERO funding for our programs, beyond the provision of the classroom space and the teacher. Marching Band, Color Guard, Drumline, and other competitive programs will disappear-due to lack of resources. Your support and the resources we provide make the difference between having basic instruction … and having award winning programs that provide incredible experiences for our students.

We need your support now! Don’t wait, because we need to know what resources we will have to work with by August 1st. Without your timely support, we will not be able to retain our stellar coaching staff for the 2011 season and will be forced to eliminate components of the program.

It Takes People

The success and evolution of our Marching Band Program requires help from us, the parents. We have a great need for volunteers throughout the entire Marching Band season.

We are requesting that each parent commit to volunteering for at least four events throughout the Marching Band season. A listing of all planned events and the sign-up sheets are available under VOLUNTEERS.

Donating

We’re making it MUCH easier to make a donation (in any amount) through our Online Store – where you can pay with a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), PayPal, or via check/money order. Visit the Online Store by selecting the ONLINE STORE menu item, then DONATIONS on the store menu. If more convenient, feel free to write a check or money order to Aliso Niguel High School Instrumental Music Boosters. If you have any questions, please contact our Treasurer – using the form on the Contact Us page.

Our budgeted expenses include:

  • Pre-Summer Camp (June)
  • Marching Band Camp (August)
  • All instruction by the top seasoned coaches
  • Meals for your student on competition days
  • Entrance fees for all competitions
  • 2011 Show T-Shirt and 2 sets of black gloves for performances
  • Transportation fees paid to Capistrano Unified School district for busses and drivers (~$100/student)
  • Music and drill design and arrangement
  • Truck rental / equipment transportation

and all of the other expenses associated with creating, rehearsing, performing and competing in our fall season.

Other Costs

  • Marching Band and Drumline students must wear Black Patent Leather Marching Band shoes for performances and competitions, which are purchased individually. Online prices are generally less than $25 + shipping/taxes. Sources include:

    Please check with the Director of Bands if you have any questions about shoe requirements.

  • A costume has been designed for the Color Guard, which provides a consistent competitive presentation. The organization’s cost is approximately $125 per person. If voluntary donations are not submitted, the costumes will be removed from the program – which will affect our competition scores. Please check with the Director of Bands for more information.
  • Rifles and other equipment are optional and are not required for participation in the Color Guard. Color Guard members are encouraged to provide a means to store and transport their flags and any other equipment.
  • All new members are strongly encouraged to purchase a Band Jacket, which provides uniformity and identification while at competitions. The Band Jacket is made-to-order and embroidered with the band logo on the back, as well as student name and information on the front. You may place your order for your student’s Band Jacket on the Online Store via the website.

Lending a hand to the program promises a:

  • Place to build meaningful and lasting friendships with others who share a commitment to our students
  • Chance to be close to your student without being too close
  • Opportunity to make an impactful contribution of your valuable time

We have many opportunities for you to put your skills and talents to use in way that is appreciated. For example:

  • Our Tailgate team needs help with food preparation, BBQcooks, servers and cashiers
  • Our Logistics team would love your assistance in getting theband equipment ready and our Marching Band members ready to perform at the venues.
  • If you’re great at communicating, join our Communications team, who is responsible for the Website, Newsletter,Photography, Video, and SmugMug online photo gallery.
  • How about helping maintaining and prepping Marching Band uniforms and Color Guard costumes.
  • Put your Marketing and Sales skills together to help with Fundraising.
  • If you are a weekend handyman or a skilled trades personwe could use your talent with prop making and equipment maintenance.
  • We need chaperones to make sure our students are safe.

Thank you for your support of the 2011 Marching Band season!

With your participation and support, we know this will be our best year yet. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Board Members with your question. There is a contact form for your convenience.

Please visit the ANHS Instrumental Music Boosters Online Store today to make your donation … and in the near future, browse through our online catalog of Spirit Wear and other items.

About the ANHS Music Booster Organization 

Aliso Niguel High School Instrumental Music Boosters, Inc (ANHSIMB) is a California non-profit corporation, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 organization. Our *sole* purpose for existence is to provide funding, resources, and support for the instrumental music programs at Aliso Niguel High School. The organization is governed and managed by a Board of Directors, who are elected on an annual basis and serve as volunteers.

Formally organized in January 1997, ANHSIMB provides funding for coaches, music purchases and licensing, instrument purchases and repairs,scholarships, food and refreshments for our students, equipment purchases and repair, transportation, and things necessary to provide our students with an incredible music education and life-changing experiences.

We accomplish our mission by providing volunteers that support the Director of Bands and the various programs offered to our students,conducting fundraising events, soliciting corporate and parent donations, and working in the community to gain support for our programs and students. All funds collected by the organization are used exclusively to benefit the students and instrumental music programs of the school.

As a school-connected organization, we must follow the same Constitutional guidelines related to student fees that mandate all schools and districts provide a public education to your student free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions, your right to a free public education means that neither the school nor its support organizations can require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or specific uniforms for any school activity, nor can we require you or your family to pay security deposits or make donations in order to participate in the program. All donations are strictly voluntary and greatly appreciated as we work together to support our schools and programs!

*As a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your tax advisor for more information.