A Descriptive Summary of Various Band Booster Groups in Southeastern Idaho and a Study of Their Benefits to the Schools

Within the last 30 years the music departments in the schools of the Southeastern Idaho areas have grown tremendously. With the mushrooming of the band programs within these music departments many problems appear. They arise primarily from inadequate funds. In order for the band systems in this area to function properly, the problem of finances must be met by some means other than entirely through the funds allocated by local school boards. Local boards of education frequently do not have sufficient funds to meet such needs as transportation for band tours and trips to the district and state festivals. Large amounts of money are needed to buy the instruments necessary for proper instrumentation. The same expensive situation arises when uniforms are needed. Lay participation has been a key source in the solution of educational problems throughout the history of the educational system. One phase of this study is a history of lay participation in the schools. With this in view, it is apparent why band booster organizations have been established. The results of these groups cannot be limited to finances. They have apparent results in civic betterment, social adjustments, parent, teacher, and student relationships, and music appreciation and growth. With this in mind, the aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of these groups, and summarize the benefits given to the schools through them. Personal interviews have been made on eight different communities. These interviews included various civic laymen band directors, school superintendents, board of education members, and band parent officers. Reports on each community have been submitted and the results of the findings are established