Sponsorships

Want your family or company name on the door of the HUGE BHS Band equipment trailer?? Or, how about an ad in the concert or competition program? Maybe you prefer to purchase a trophy sponsorship - these are just some of the ways that you or your employer can show your pride, and support the band or color guard, too! Yes, you can participate in the sponsorship drive even while your student is still at ASI!! Go to the FORMS page and print out the sponsorship form, or contact our fundraising chair NOW!

FRESHMAN / NEW TO BHS BAND STUDENT INFO                            

This area will be dedicated to a variety of types of information for the incoming band student and parents. We will have lists and lists of helpful tidbits to make your incoming experience a pleasant one. A timeline of the different bands schedule will be posted here as well so you can know if & when you are coming or going, or both!! Also, info changes often please click around for newly posted info throughout the site. Don't forget to go to the Contacts & Links page for more sources of helpful information.

#1 - FIRST AND FOREMOST - SEE ATTIRE/TIPS PAGE FOR VERY IMPORTANT BAND UNIFORM ORDERING, AND OTHER CLOTHING RELATED INFORMATION! If you were fitted last spring for a uniform and think you may have outgrown it--NO PROBLEM, just contact the chairperson and they will be happy to help you! 

The High School band activities schedule can seem overwhelming at first glance for the Freshman, or to a new to band student. Practices can seem long and to be a lot of hard work, but the rewards for the band student are HUGE!! The new friendships and relationships that are formed, and the experiences gained from traveling to different performances, competitions and venues and seeing other high schools perform at this level, most certainly enriches every student in a way that is just not possible in other school related activities. With that said, please feel free to contact any of the band directors at anytime if you have ANY concerns about anything that you feel isn't going quite right with your student, a parent volunteer, or another director.

GETTING STARTED TIPS

For the most part, the band as a whole, guard included, is very well taken care of. There are usually dozens of parent volunteers around to help with anything from broken shoe laces, to lost gloves, to a hem that came loose. A First Aid Kit with all the amenities is also quick at hand. If your student has any special medical needs, please make sure that an adult volunteer is made fully aware of it AND that any appropriate paperwork is in the binder that goes everywhere with the band volunteers.

PRACTICES and GAMES

• Itineraries will be given out & posted to the website a few days to a week before any event
• Always bring a huge container of water for daily marching practice (Aug thru Nov)
• Upper classmen are always willing to help Freshman get used to the routines
• AT GAMES - Water is provided by Boosters and distributed by volunteers
• Everyone works as a team and helps each other with set-up and tear-down
• Parents, friends and family are welcome to help or watch
• Visiting is not allowed when the student is in the stands or on the field
• For away games - depending on the timing, meals usually are provided

COMPETITIONS

• Itineraries will be given out & posted to the website a few days to a week before any event
• Water is provided by Boosters and distributed by volunteers
• Depending on the timing - meal(s) are usually provided
• Do not bring anything valuable on the bus that may get lost or stolen
• Parents, friends and family are welcome to help or watch
• Visiting is not allowed during games or competitions except during scheduled breaks

REMINDERS

If your student needs to leave an event early, or they need to take alternate means of transportation home, make sure you complete and sign a release form for EACH event. We understand that you are the parent, but we have rules and policies to follow to insure the safety of every student. The directors and 100's of volunteers can not possibly remember by sight every parent, step parent or relative and whether or not they are allowed to take the child. The release form will insure that we have the appropriate information so your child goes with the proper person should they need to.

SHOPPING TIPS                                                                                  

As a courtesy, previous and current band parents have contributed to a list of places that sell formal wear and accessories at reasonable prices for your quickly growing band student. The female band members will need to order their dresses through the director exclusively. Your band student will be required to wear either a tux or a suit for performances throughout the year. With the way some of these kids grow, we thought it would be helpful to share our info with you. If you know of an "outgoing" student, see if they have anything they'd like to donate or sell and don't forget to check the Parent to Parent Want Adpage often.

• J. C. Penney's- Fashion Fair Mall - has men's size Staffordshire suits AND tuxedos on sale ranging from $99.00 to $199.00 - alterations at a nominal fee
• After Hours - Sierra Vista Mall, ask for Denise to purchase gently used formal wear from $25.00 to $200.00
• Burlington Coat Factory - has great package deal prices on shirt/bow tie/cumberbund combos
• Mervyn's - both Sierra Vista Mall & Blackstone Store, Fresno - Occasionallyhave suits for smaller size guys - call before going
• Target - Fresno & Clovis - have suits of all sizes - usually only at Christmastime - call ahead
• Macy's - Fashion Fair Mall - Young Men's Dept. is another good resource for suits for all ages including smaller guys - call ahead
• Stein Mart - Occasionally have tuxes, usually has suits but both only in men's sizes. They do not carry bow ties, cumberbunds or tux shirts.
• All of the above had men's dress shoes. BEST PRICE found at J.C. Penney's - had Nunn Bush leather slip on loafers on half price sale @ $39.99
• The Black Tie, 5149 N Blackstone  - north of Shaw. 243-9901 ask for Jack Hurley and tell him you're with Buchanan Band
• Don't be shy - Ask around, upperclassmen may have clothing that they are willing to donate or sell for a nominal fee. When kids grow so fast that they sometimes need a new suit each year -it pays to shop, and ask around. 

PARENT TO PARENT WANT ADS                                                       

Submit entries to webadmin@bhsband.net  I'll be happy to post it for you. I will also include your request in our newsletters so everyone is sure to see it! 

Roberta Shackelford has a gently used black suit for sale. Pants are 34waist X 29-30 length, jacket is a 36 medium. I am asking $30.00 for the suit. I also have one pair of tux pants $20.00, and several dress shirts for sale at $5.00 each. The dress shirts are PERFECT for Jazz and are Van Huesen, pale blue, one was worn several times, the other ones are all in good to new condition (no stains). The shirts are a young men's size 18-20. Call me at 299-7247 or email me at webadmin@bhsband.net. 

Sponsorships

Want your family or company name on the door of the HUGE BHS Band equipment trailer?? Or, how about an ad in the concert or competition program? Maybe you prefer to purchase a trophy sponsorship - these are just some of the ways that you or your employer can show your pride, and support the band or color guard, too! Click on the cash icon above to view and print out the sponsorship form, or contact our fundraising chairs NOW!  

Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations                                                       

• CMEA- California Music Educators Association
• FMCMEA - Fresno-Madera Counties Music Education Association
• SJVJF -San Joaquin Valley Jazz Festival
• SJVCGPR - San Joaquin Valley Color Guard & Percussion Review
• GSTOB - Golden State Tournament of Bands
• CBDA - California Band Director's Association
• FSU - Fresno State University
• FCC - Fresno City College
• MNGJF - Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival
• MJF - Monterey Jazz Festival
• WBA - Western Band Association
• BAJB - Buchanan Area Jazz Bands
• more coming soon....