Should we have to rely on parents and fundraising to run a modern BOJC program?

In a perfect world, there would always be more than enough school funds to support a music program and any opportunities that a music teacher can successfully set up to enrich their student's musical education. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. We all know that we need to advocate to others that music education is important and should always be well funded. But the reality is that music is still often looked at as an "extra",  a "special" and not something that is absolutely necessary.

A few things that a BOJC (Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Chorus) program should have budgeted money for includes:

• Instruments
• Percussion equipment
• Music
• Marching band uniforms
• Color guard uniforms/equipment
• Banners and flags

Even if we are lucky enough to have a school that supports music, there are a lot of extra opportunities that would really be beneficial to our students that are often not built into a budget because while they are important, they are not necessary.

A few of the "extra opportunities" that a BOJC (Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Chorus) program might need fund raised money for include:

• Field Trips
• Competitions/festivals
• Clinics
• Guest conductors, composers, performers
• Commissioning anew piece
• Work shops
• Traveling performance opportunities

It goes without saying that having the support of our students, colleagues, administrators, parents, and the community, are very important when trying to build and run a successful music program. However, I don't think we should have to rely on parents entirely for fund raising. We should always work with parents and do everything we can to encourage them to lend a hand and be involved, we need to find our own ways of getting money that we need if we should need it. But fund raising is an important part of most music departments and that is just one of the many reasons why their help with matters such as these is always appreciated.

So we should not have to rely on parents for fund raising but we should be prepared to enlist their help when needed.