• THE PROGRAM: Directors / The Marching Band / Concert Bands / Jazz Bands / Color Guard / Drumline / Honors Credit / Band Fees / Private Lessons / • BIG EVENTS: Football / Marchathon / Gift Market / Big Band Dance / Cowtown Rocks / Annual Trip
• SUPPORT: Spirit Items / Restaurant Nights / Flamingo Flockings / Physicals / Rewards Programs / Donate to Band / • PARENTS & COMMUNITY: Join Boosters / Freshman Liaisons / Booster Business / Alumni & History / Volunteers
2012-2013 BAND FEES
$150 deposit due Aug. 4, balance due Oct. 5
(If doing monthly payments, your first payment is due by July 6)
Details about band fees
The Paschal band directors and boosters are very sensitive to the economic challenges faced by the families of band members. We don’t want money to ever keep any student from experiencing the joy of music and dance. However, marching band and color guard are expensive extracurricular activities and many of the expenses are not covered by the FWISD. The band program’s success and survival depends on the band fees paid by every student and the funds raised by the boosters and band families.
USE PAYPAL OR CREDIT CARD TO MAKE PAYMENT
You may use your credit card OR your PayPal account to pay fees and make donations, however a 3% usage fee is required. This fee is not automatically added by the calculator so you will need to do the math. Please total up all the fees or donations you are paying, add 3%, and enter that total amount when asked in the field below.
IMPORTANT: You must also add the 3% to your order to cover the Paypal fee or it will be billed later to your Charms account!
HOW TO PAY WITH CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL:
1) Click on this button.
2) When you get this screen, enter your amount plus 3% usage fee. Then select at bottom whether you are paying by credit card or through your PayPal account.
NOTE: At checkout there is an area for "special instructions" where you can list your student's name and what this payment is specifically for. If you are an alumni making a donation, please give us your name, address and phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do Paschal band fees compare to programs at other schools?
A: Paschal’s base fee of $240 for musicians and $200 for color guard is the same as, or often less than, other programs in this area. It’s difficult to compare fees because every school includes different items in their fees and some booster organizations raise more funds than Paschal. But as an example, other FWISD schools charge about$250 for band and $450 for color guard. Other DFW area schools charge between $250 and $500.
Q: Can the boosters contribute more?
A: We’re not asking band families to pay all the necessary increase; the Paschal Band Boosters will be paying additional monies this year and those figures are detailed in the budget which is approved each August.
Q: What does the fee cover?
A: The base band fee pays for some items that benefit the student directly like gloves, T-shirt, etc. and then some items that benefit the band as a whole, like technicians, music, supplies, etc. (See details below.) The band fee does not begin to cover the costs involved. That’s why every parent needs to pitch in and help with the band fundraisers throughout the year.
Q: Does this cover all the band and color guard expenses for the whole year?
A: Sigh….we wish. Throughout the year students will have incidental costs specific to their instrument and level of participation: reeds, solo music, new shoes, etc. Some schools include these things in their band fees, thus making fees higher for everyone. We feel that costs incurred by a single student need to be covered by that student.
Q: Does this include the fee for the spring band trip?
A: No. The trip is an optional event that some students can’t or choose not to go on. Also, plans for the trip are made throughout the year so we don’t know what the costs will be until later. We hope every student can go on the trip since it is a reward for all their hard work. There are many ways a student can raise money to pay for their fees and the trip.
Q: Can a student earn the money to pay for their band fees?
A: Absolutely! Parents do not have to shoulder the burden alone. There are many opportunities for students to raise money. Last year some students paid for ALL their band fees AND the spring band trip by fully participating in the March-A-Thon and the student fundraisers. Students have plenty of opportunities to raise money if they take the initiative. They can get March-A-Thon pledges from relatives, employers, neighbors, church friends, fellow students...everyone they know can help pay a little of their band fee. All money turned in by the student goes straight into their individual Charms account (it works like a bank account) and the students can monitor their earnings throughout the year.
Q: What if a family can’t afford the fee?
A: We want every student to have the opportunity to participate regardless of his or her family’s personal financial situation. Talk to Mr. Wright if you want to request financial aide.
Q: How do I make band fee payments?
A: There are two options for the amount you pay. You can pay in full or use the monthly payment plan. The details and deadlines are in the forms pictured at far right. And there are a number of ways to make the payment.
1) Send a check or cash to school with your student. Have them put the check in an envelope with their name on the outside and place the envelope in the lock box.
2) Mail a check to: Paschal Band Boosters, 3001 Forest Park Blvd, Fort Worth, 76110.
3) Make your payment in person at a band event, such as a board meeting.
4) Make payments directly to your student’s account through PayPal. It's not necessary to have a PayPal account, just a credit or debit card. There will be a 3% convenience fee for this service.
Q: How are the band fees figured?
A: The band fee is a very specific calculation based on an estimated number of band students. Some expenses are paid by everyone, some by just the musicians and some by just the color guard. Below is a recap of the expenses which are included in the band fees.
Expenses paid by BOTH musicians and color guard
• Marching equipment and supplies required for the marching show: Sound equipment, backdrops, repair or purchase of marching equipment (like the drum major podiums), anything required for the show that is not color guard related. This does not include any big props, as those expenses are being paid by the boosters.
• Color guard equipment and supplies specifically required for the color guard part in the marching show: Anything required for the show that is color guard related, such as silks, sabers, color guard specific clinician and other color guard props.
• Show t-shirts: These are worn under the uniforms and this year, since we’re not going to use the Band polo’s any longer, they’ll also be worn for the March-A-Thon and pep rally’s. This year they will be made of wicking material (like Under armor) so that the kids stay more comfortable.
• Music and dance purchases: Licensing for music and dances purchased for the marching show and for stand tunes.
• Color guard director salary: The FWISD does not provide funds for a color/winter guard director. Typically, most schools pay this expense through band fees and/or the band boosters. We split it so that band fees pay the biggest portion and the boosters pay a smaller portion. What you may not know is that we also have a color guard tech who is up at the school as much as the color guard members. Last year, her expense was paid through band fees; however, this year the boosters will be paying the entire amount.
• Technicians/clinicians: These are special instructors brought in to teach master classes, help with the show and to teach at the various camps and leadership camp.
Expenses paid ONLY by color guard
• Color guard equipment and supplies during winter guard: Includes new silks and a winter guard clinician.
• Color guard costume for marching season. They still have to pay for their shoes, rifles, gloves, and their winter costume.
Expenses paid ONLY by musicians (but not color guard)
• Percussion equipment and supplies.
• Entry fees for contests and shows.
• Uniform and tuxedo maintenance: Includes 3 uniform cleanings, 1 tux cleaning and the hemming that will be required. It also includes some additional storage items for our new uniforms which have EIGHT pieces to them.
• Gloves.
