Millions of high school students year begin their trek to become a part of their high schools marching band. Many students find a lot of solace in joining the band which helps make high school easier and more memorable for the student. Unfortunately, band can cost a small fortune for parents that are already worrying about financing a college education. If your student is considering becoming a part of the marching band then you may not want to worry just yet. There are actually numerous ways to make this expensive high school experience something that is affordable and rewarding for both parent and student. You may even find that having a child in band is one of your favorite aspects of being a parent to a high school student.
1. Used Instruments
Every student needs an instrument to take part in band and most schools don’t provide this for the student. That means parents are looking at a very pricey bill before band practice even begins. If you don’t have an instrument from an older child or yourself around the house then it may be time to start looking at thrift stores and pawn shops. These are two of the best places to find used instruments at a very cheap price. Of course, you will need to make sure the instrument works before you need it, so don’t rush into any sales without confirming the state of the instrument. If you don’t feel comfortable shopping for a big purchase in a thrift store or pawn shop then you might want to contact to the school about a low cost leasing store. Usually the school will have a list of music stores that offer great deals to students. You may even get a discount if you can prove your child goes to a certain high school. These stores are also a lot more trustworthy when it comes to instruments and may even have a rental or financing program to help you out.
2. Fundraiser
One of the best things about school activities is there is also room for a fundraiser or several. With your child working with the band there will plenty of opportunities to help fund their trip without you actually having to pay for anything yourself. The school tends to organize fundraisers throughout the year, but most schools welcome the idea of parents getting involved to help further fundraising for the school. If you have time to offer to the school then get in touch with your child’s band teacher to see what can be done to help the band have a better experience this year. When the band does have fundraisers then try to always be around to help. Of course, you can always do some fundraising on your own to help your student get the gear needed to be successful in band. If you need help buying the instrument, getting a uniform or supplying money for field trips then you may want to work up a bake sale, car wash or sell some old things around the house to help build up your funding. This will also teach the student the value of band which could encourage progression rather than allowing it to become a passing interest.
3. Hand-me-downs
Many of the items your child will need can be passed down from one band member to the next. If your student is the youngest then you may want to hold on to older children’s gear so you can pass it down without having to spend a lot of money. Most schools don’t change band uniforms year after year so your student shouldn’t be fine with an older model. Of course, you may also want to consider asking around group meeting to see if any of the older students might have a used uniform. Since teens grow so much during high school you may be able to buy a used uniform from a student a year or two older. A lot of students may also be willing to sell their cases, instruments and t-shirts as they upgrade to new equipment for the year. Finding the right hand-me-down for your student could make the transition into band much easier, especially when it comes to finances.
4. Volunteer
A lot of schools welcome volunteers when it comes to field trips, out of city games and other band activities that require more adult supervision. If you have time to spare then you may want to consider volunteering to help out your child’s band. Typically, volunteering not only allows you to spend more time with your child and get a feel for the band environment, but it can also help you save money on field trips for your student. For instance, if you volunteer to drive students to activities you tend not to have pay the fee that would have been paid for your child. You may also get reimbursed for gas money for each event you drive to. Occasionally out of town field trips require students to stay in hotels which requires a fee for parents. If you volunteer as a chaperone then you may be able to have the fee waived while also getting your own hotel bill waived by the school. The more time yous pend helping out, the better off your student will be when it comes to being successful in band.
5. Look for Scholarships
Most institutions encourage students to participate in groups like band, which is why there are so many different scholarships available to help these students out. If you’re having trouble with buyig your child’s band gear then light research should turn up a list of scholarships your child might qualify for. Good grades and an essay might be required, but this is a small price to pay to help you get the supplies you need for your band member. There are also scholarships available for students outside of school. For instance, if your child is interesting in furthering skills during the summer then you may be able to find a band camp scholarship that will give your student a foot ahead when the school year starts back up. Of course, most students are also interested in what the future holds. With a strong presence in band your student may even be able to earn a scholarship to help pay for your college in the upcoming years.
6. Set Money Back
Although it may be tough to give up a lump sum of money to fund your child’s band career, it might not be as tough to gradually put money back throughout the year. There are tons of ways to save a lot of cash gradually so you can easily pay for your students instrument, uniform and other supplies needed for band. One simple way to make this task work is to put back $10 every payday throughout the year. The money will add up fast and you’ll barely notice the money is gone. Another great way to really build up some savings is to put back $1 for every week in the year. As the weeks progress you’ll add more and more to savings until you can easily fund anything your student might need. Of course, it may work best if you start saving before your child enters high school so you can have a jump start when the bills come in.
7. Utilize Work Skills
When it comes to earning money for school you shouldn’t think twice about asking your child to do more around the house. Set up a chore chart that helps the child earn money through working around the house. You may even want to ask your child to branch out a little. Instead of hanging around the house during summer break ask your student to ask neighbors if they have any indoor or outdoor chores they would like completed. As the child earns money have them put it in a jar for band gear. This won’t just keep your child busy it will help them learn the value of money as well as give them a pride in the work they accomplished to do something they loved. To further work skills you may also want to have your student try out busking. This will force the student to practice more while potentially earning a little extra money for band gear. If you choose to go this route make sure the child is supervised and also check into city permits as many places do not allow busking in certain areas.
8. Buy Bulk
If your student decides to play a woodwind instrument then there may be some additional purchases that should be bought in bulk. As the student learns to play they will go through a lot more reids and other products that make their instruments work properly. The first year of band will probably require you to buy reids often, so you may want to find a store that allows you to bulk buy. This is one way to help save money throughout the school year. Having these little accessories on hand will also save you from any last minute shopping that might cause you to spend too much on an item. There are other items like cleaning supplies and clothes that you may also want to buy in bulk. These items generally cost a lot less when you purchase them this way and will ensure you won’t have to worry about the purchase for quite some time.
9. Cheap Repairs
Although you might not think about having to have repairs made on an instrument it is a very real problem that a lot of students have. If your instrument is older then it increases the likelihood of requiring a little extra maintenance. One way to counteract this problem is to find the cheapest repair shop locally. A lot of teachers may be able to steer you in the right direction, so you will be prepared if this problem arises. Of course, if the problem is small then you may be able to get a little help from your child’s band teacher. The teacher may even show the student how to mend the problem so they will know how to take better care of the instrument. Another way to deal with small problems is to look up tutorials as to how to fix them. In this age of knowledge you can find video tutorials on just about everything so don’t be afraid to look around and try before forking over a lot of money.
10. Ask for Help
The great thing about band is there is always some way to make it work. If you’re on a tight budget then you may want to have a meeting with your child’s school about your financial needs. Most schools have programs that will help a student fund their way through band if the parents aren’t able to. Even if you only need help for a little while the school can often work out something to help keep your child in band without forcing you and the student to stress over the financial burden. There are also other great programs in the community that can help you out. For instance, if you’re a part of a church group you may be able to talk to the treasurer about donations to help towards your child’s success. Some youth groups around the nation will also help out in order to provide the student with a great high school experience.
Band can be one of the most rewarding experiences for so many students so don’t let the finances scare you off. With a few easy steps and a little help from the school your student will be playing an instrument and making new friends in no time. As your students four years speed by you’ll be glad that band was a major factor in their high school career.
