Astounding might be the only word to describe the unprecedented success of the Burlington High School Music Boosters Association whose fundraising efforts during the first half of the school year have realized a net profit of over $21,000!
The Burlington High School Music Boosters Association’s annual fundraising efforts not only benefit the music students and staff at BHS during the school year but also provide the necessary funds to maintain the Marching Band Scholarship program. Mandated by its by-laws, the Music Boosters Association presents scholarship awards to all senior members of the Marching Band who have committed to continuing his/her education upon graduation, an amount that varies each year ranging from $5,000-$7000. In addition to this commitment, the Boosters organization funds transportation for the BHS Chorus to compete in the annual Great East Festival in Agawam, Massachusetts, has provided monies to expand the collection of formal chorus concert attire as needed and has committed to chorus scholarships based on merit for seniors continuing in a college music program.
With each year’s scholarship fund commitment at approximately $4,500 and the wish-list of items from the BHS music staff in the $2000-$3,000 range, the Boosters organization has implemented some proven fundraisers to meet the numbers. They include the Friends of the Music Boosters annual fundraising appeal (Vanessa Ovian, Coordinator), Rayburn Music Rental Night in September (Donna Gregorio, Coordinator), the Woburn Halloween Parade held in October (Michelle Campbell, Coordinator), ongoing concession sales held throughout the year during performing arts events (Shirley Fong, Coordinator), merchandise sales which includes performing group photographs (Vicki Kikuchi, Coordinator) and the Marching Band and Music Awards banquets in the fall and spring (Donna Gregorio and Shirley Fong, Coordinators) made possible through a very generous donation by the 99 Restaurant of Billerica, Massachusetts.
Driving the overwhelming donor response this year is the BHS Marching Band’s trip in April to DisneyWorld, where Burlington’s favorite sons and daughters (led by director Matt Lovell along with co-Director Amanda Potts and advisors Jen Agati and Leanne Reardon) will find themselves marching down Main Street of The Magic Kingdom on April 21. With the cost per student of this self-funded spring break activity approaching $1,000, the Executive Board of the Music Boosters and Disney Committee Chair Steven Parker set out to create opportunities for each student to raise funds for his/her individual account.
With marketing plan in hand, Boosters president Donna Gregorio, Fundraising Coordinator Shirley Fong and Boosters treasurer Susie Frost inspired a tireless team of parent volunteers and students to reach their goal. Through their hard work and determination in sponsoring a series of events, over $12,200 was placed in student accounts and another $4,500 in the general Disney fund for transport of instruments, uniforms and other necessities for the Marching Band performance. Disney fundraisers included the Burlington Historical Society’s Fall Fair in September (Shirley Fong, Coordinator), Woburn Halloween Parade/Marching Band Walk-a-Thon held in October (Michelle Campbell, Coordinator), ticket sales to The Lion King in connection with Broadway Across America and its EventUsher service held in October (Tim Rose, Coordinator), the Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction held in November (coordinated by Donna Gregorio, Shirley Fong and Vanessa Ovian), the Calendar Raffle, with tickets sold in November and winners announced throughout December (Carol Sheldon, Coordinator with Phyllis Fleischmann assisting) and Youth Movie Night held in January of 2010(Lori Kashgegian, Coordinator).
The Burlington High School Music Boosters Association wishes to thank each and every individual who has contributed to their overwhelming fundraising success this year, from the parents who sit at the table selling anything from tickets to balloons to those who bake for our events and march alongside the students making sure they are safe and hydrated! Far too many in numbers to name, we recognize the value they have added to the organization and applaud them for being a part of this historic year.
