In addition we must pay the county for buses to transport

the band both to competitions and to away football games which

are required attendance.

Our annual budget exceeds $80,000 paid by band fees

and fundraising, not by the taxpayers lining the July 4 parade

route. Space does not permit me to tell you how hard the booster

parents and students work to raise this money, though there are

stories enough to fill many an issue of your paper.

The band that played on July 4th was entirely voluntary,

made up of both the Starrs Mill band and the Spirit of McIntosh

Band. Additionally, the incoming freshman were invited to march

despite their lack of marching experience, to allow them to

bond early with their band.

It is entirely voluntary because after the end of school on

June 15 and the start of rookie camp the first week of August,

band families have only 45 days to get a family vacation scheduled. In

a town that is oriented toward the family, many families take

faraway vacations. It is unrealistic to expect them to forgo their

summer vacations for the sake of performing on one day in the

summer.

Finally in your column there is the suggestion that these are

not the "really good" kids. Every year the majority of the Junior

Marshals (the top 20 students ranked by grade point average) at

McIntosh High school are band members. The McIntosh

Concert, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble bands are consistently ranked

top in the state by the Georgia Music Educators Association.

In 1996 the Wind Ensemble traveled to Savannah to play

on opening day of the Georgia Music Educators Association

concert, an honor only accorded to the "really good" bands in

the state.

We invite you to visit our training camps, see our show in

competition and talk to us; only then will you understand the

fierce pride which we have in our band students.

We are also open to donations both from you and Mr. Bryan

as well as the Citizen Review.

Rebecca R. West

President, Spirit of McIntosh Band Boosters

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