This year seemed to take off at a running pace with our first home football game the Friday after school started, and it seems like we’ve been going ever since! The Fillmore High School Band (with a handful of Middle School students participating) played at all 5 home games. And, before football season even started, they attended Band Camp the first part of August and marched in the Ventura County Fair Parade. Additionally, they played at the Fillmore Middle School Back to School Night, and participated in UCLA Band Day. The High School Band and ColorGuard just participated, and did an awesome job, in their first Field Show Competition of the Season at Simi Valley High School on October 27th (with 2 more to go – November 10 in Granada Hills and November 17 in Moorpark). And, this year one very positive change that has occurred with our High School Band Program is that the band meets during 6th period rather than after school. This change will definitely make a difference with our band, and I think we’ve already seen that!

So, who supports our Fillmore Unified Band Program? The Fillmore Band Boosters supports all aspects of our Band Programs – Elementary, Middle and High School. With funding at an all time low in education, our music programs could not continue without the support of Band Boosters. We cover many expenses from copy machine repairs to purchasing tshirts, binders, ColorGuard uniforms, band uniforms (jackets, hats, plumes, shoes and pants), uniform cleaning, purchasing new instruments (and repairing old ones), and all Competition related expenses (field show music, fees, and transportation). As of this year, we completed our High School Uniforms with our final purchase of bibbers (pants) for all students!

So, you might ask, how do the Boosters support our Band Program? One way is by selling Krispy Kreme donuts (and spirit halos) at football games - 225 dozen donuts this season to be exact! That isn’t the only fundraiser we’ve participated in – we also did an online fundraiser through eteamsponsor.org – that was a super easy one and didn’t require selling anything at all (and it was all done online)! We are now in the middle of our Annual Pierpont Jam Fundraiser and so far our High School and Middle School students have sold 710 jars! Our Elementary Schools are in the middle of selling their jam (if you’d like to buy some yummy Pierpont jam contact Lisa at 524-1697 or 831 801 2276 or email hismile64@gmail.com).

Last but not least, I want to thank a few local groups and businesses who have contributed to our band program - the Lion’s Club, El Pescador, Yanni’s, Maher Insurance Agency and NV Sports. And, we couldn’t do what we do without our parent help – thank you, parents, who have contributed your valuable time - we couldn’t do it without you! With our many helpers this year we know from first hand experience that ‘many hands make small work’! And, remember, our monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 6:30pm in the Band Room, our next meeting is Monday, November 5th. All are welcome to attend!