[For a list of contacts, see the Contacts page.]

Consider where your skills and energy could serve the bands. The Edison Middle School Band is recognized nationally because of the ability and dedication of every student, but the parents contribution of their time and energy to the needs of the band are a big factor.

We expect to be reorganized into a 501(C)(3) recognized not-for-profit organization by the start of the 2007-2008 school year - as a result some job titles shown below will change, but not the need for these volunteers. An even greater need is for parents to work our fundraising events at Assembly Hall and Memorial stadium. This is a high priority. If every parent helped out we can raise the money needed for our budget and no parent would be over-worked.

The Edison Bands have certainly been high achievers and the students have enjoyed the recognition that comes with it. More importantly students, past and present, have shown a great deal of personal growth as a result of this band program. Each student has a degree of pride in their own accomplishments as well as those for the group. They have learned to expect more from themselves and this has a carry-over into other areas such as their school work as a whole. They have developed friendships, a healthy competitive drive, academic improvement and have learned skills which help them in working with others. The Edison Band experience is truly a great one for students.

The Edison Band has three distinct years throughout a student's Middle School experience - a No-Trip year, a Small-Trip year, and a Big-Trip year. This is referring to the Spring Break time of each school year (there are contests and festivals every year). In the past the Small-Trip has been to Chicago, but a new destination may be chosen in the future and the Big-Trip has been to Disney in Orlando. Both trips are for competition, learning and fun. The Big-Trip is planned every 3 years to give each student one opportunity throughout their Middle School career.

Each year the Band Patrons must raise funds to support that year's budget as well as put away reserves for the Big-Trip year. The Big-Trip (The Small-Trip to a lesser degree) requires Band Patrons' funds to help with need scholarship and help support expenses of chaperones and other adult helpers on the trip.

This brings us to the tremendous need for the Band Patrons group of parents. The band is funded primarily by the Band Patrons. The school and district continue to work to increase the District's share of funding, but we know they will never be able to fund to a degree to keep this band program at the high level that we all expect. We know first hand the incredible impact this band program has had in the lives of students over the years and the Band Patrons group is committed to keeping it at that level. There are necessary expenses for a band budget each year for music, instrument repairs, sound equipment, tuners, travel and all the things that have helped build this program to this level. Some expenses are covered as line item charges to the families as they occur - items such as bus trip fee to an out-of-town contest or festival. Other expenses are covered by earning money from fundraising each year. This provides money to cover the other expenses and to help build a reserve for the Big-Trip year. For this to succeed all the parents are needed to help out in fundraising, leadership, giving of time in other areas, and where possible with their donations. Take a look at the fundraising section in the website to learn more about all the different options.

The Edison Band impacts the student's lives because of the student's dedication and excellence. They get the chance to experience it because of us - their families. That is why the Band Patrons exists - to give them that chance with all the support and tools that can be reasonably afforded to them.

There are a number of ways to help. Including serving in a position of specific responsibility within the Band Patrons group. These positions are listed on the Contacts page; however please note that as people have other ideas which can help we are always welcoming to those ideas and to their initiative to help carry it out.