The band program is "big business" in Oskaloosa.  Approximately forty percent of students grades 5-12 participate in the band every year (the national average is less than ten percent).

The Oskaloosa Band Program includes:

•Two Marching Bands

•Five Concert Bands

•Three Jazz Bands

•A Pep Band

•Winter Guard

Here is a look at the costs in detail:

Annual expenses:

•Entry fees for competitions.....................................$3,000

•Professional services (accompanists and repairs).......$8,000

•Copyrighted materials (sheet music and recordings)...$3,000

•Travel to local and regional contests......................$20,000

•Specialized instructors...........................................$3,000

•Music arrangements services...................................$2,500

Periodic Capital expenditures:

•New and replacement instruments.........................$80,000

•225 marching band uniforms at $425 each..............$95,625

•Truck to transport instruments and uniforms...........$35,000

Funds from the school district cover approximately $25 per student.  This leaves an annual shortfall of more than $143 per student to be raised every year:

Year to year fund raising to support these costs has been challenging due to event rainouts and small returns selling products such as fruit and candy.  That Oskaloosa Band Foundation will provide the safety net that will allow the band to continue to flourish and ensures every interested musician the opportunity to be involved.

The Oskaloosa Band Foundation has established a goal of $250,000 in donations and pledges by the end of 2003.  We need your financial support to help the band program survive ant thrive.