Buchser Middle School Music Association

PRIMARILY, THE MUSIC ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THE SUPERIOR BUCHSER MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM IN WHICH NEARLY ONE THIRD (300+) OF THE SCHOOL'S STUDENTS PARTICIPATE. THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF BUCHSER'S MUSIC STUDENTS PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR AN EXTREMELY DIVERSE POPULATION INCLUDING ELL, GATE, LEP, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND FINANCIALLY IMPACTED FAMILIES.A HALLMARK OF THE BUCHSER MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY IS INCLUSIVENESS. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM COME FROM ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC LEVEL, AND MANY REQUIRE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. OTHER STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM FACE PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, INCLUDING AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, AND BRAIN INJURIES. WHETHER THE CHALLENGE IS FINANCIAL OR PHYSICAL. IF A CHILD WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC, THE BUCHSER MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM MAKES IT POSSIBLE.THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THESE STUDENTS INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN A BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE BAND, ADVANCED SYMPHONIC BAND, JAZZ BIG BAND, ADVANCED JAZZ, HONORS JAZZ, JAZZ CHOIR, TRADITIONAL JAZZ BAND, SYMPHONIC CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA.THE BUCHSER MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION RAISES FUNDS AND ORGANIZES ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FOR THE ENTIRE BUCHSER MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM. THE FUNDRAISERS INCLUDE SALES OF KETTLE KORN, MUSIC DEPARTMENT APPAREL, AND WATER AT VARIOUS SCHOOL RELATED FUNCTIONS. THE BUCHSER MUSIC ASSOCIATION RECORDS A BAND CD EACH YEAR WHICH IS SOLD TO THE PUBLIC TO RAISE FUNDS, AND ORGANIZES FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE IN.FUNDRAISED DOLLARS GO TOWARD EXPENSES SUCH AS THE PURCHASE AND MAINTENANCE OF MUCH NEEDED MUSIC EQUIPMENT, AUGMENTATION OF A STELLAR TUTOR PROGRAM THAT IS INCORPORATED INTO THE SCHOOL DAY SO THAT ALL STUDENTS GET INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION (ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE PROGRAM), AND MUSIC COMPETITION FEES AND TRANSPORTATION.THESE VOLUNTEER PARENTS DONATE COUNTLESS HOURS TO FUNDRAISING, ADMINISTRATION, ACCOUNTING, AND TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS "ROADIE" DUTIES SUCH AS KEEPING THE STUDENT MUSICIANS FED AND HYDRATED AT PERFORMANCES, SETTING UP AND TAKING DOWN CHAIRS AND STANDS, AND LOADING INSTRUMENTS INTO THE ANCIENT MUSIC TRUCK. WE'VE ADDED A UNIFORM RECYCLE PROGRAM TO OFFSET THE COST OF THE BAND UNIFORMS.