Band Fees & Equipment Expenses

According to the Music Educators National Conference, the average marching band fees in Georgia are $675 PER STUDENT. Our current fees are $200.00 per student and a maximum cost, if a student needed all equipment items (wind suit, shoes, practice uniforms, and backpack) of $400.00. We have worked hard to keep costs down to families (our Auxiliary line fees are also several hundred dollars below average), especially in light of the current economy.

The band expenses for the 2011 season come in two categories; fees and equipment. Fees are required from all band members to cover certain expenses incurred to run the program.; these cover the 2009 Season Shirt worn under the uniform, band camp, outside Instructors, marching band costs(such as music), Uniform Rental/Cleaning, and System Supplemental Insurance (this is a Troup County Schools Requirement for all student participants in Band, Athletics, and other extracurricular activities), and travel. This packet contains a copy of our sponsorship form for students who need help raising the money for band fees. We will also have a few fundraisers this summer to help students. As noted above fees for 2010 are $200.00. Money is due NO LATER than June 25 at fitting day.

Equipment and Equipment Expenses

Equipment Expenses covers the items that students must have and students have been able to get multiple seasons of wear out of their gear. Students will wear the practice uniform at all band camp and after school rehearsals. For some away games we will wear the shorts and t-shirts, for others the wind suits. Shorts and 2009 Season Shirt will also be worn under the uniform.

There is a Complete Package that contains the Wind Suit, Backpack, 3 practice T Shirts, 2 Practice Shorts, and Drillmaster Marching Shoes. The Complete Practice Package is just the 3 T Shirts and 2 Shorts. Items can also be ordered individually, but the package deals are much cheaper. Please note that we will order all replacement equipment pieces after the fitting day and will not have extras. Students can purchase Practice Shorts and T Shirts from Edelson’s Army Store here in LaGrange after school starts, but will have to pay full retail price for each item.

Following student input this year we have made three changes to the gear; the shorts ordered this year will have side pockets, the 2009 Season Shirt will be a darker moisture wicking shirt, and the backpack will be slightly larger. The backpack manufacturer is also adding extra reinforcement to the backpack. Another change is that unlike in the past, students can order Wind Suit jackets and pants singularly for replacements; in the past only pants were sold individually, but not jackets.

List of Equipment Items

*Without Shoes subtract $25.00

Individual Items

Sponsorships & Forms

Students can ask people to sponsor them for one game at $20.00 per game. With 10 football games this would defray or cover the band fee and or their equipment costs. Many students are able to raise their entire band fee easily this way. A copy of the Sponsorship form is included in this packet, and is also available for download on the website. Sponsors will be recognized in all material published on behalf of the band and in the Football program.

The form can be downloaded from the link in the menu.

Credit Card Payments

Many families have begun to quit using checks and have moved to check cards as their usual payment mode.  To facilitate this for parents that use Check Cards and Credit Cards we have arranged to accept payments for fees and equipment to be made with credit cards this year. 

After fitting day the payments page will also have additional items for students to purchase reeds, valve oil, and additional instrument care supplies.