FCHS Marching Band first heard they had been accepted to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade in Sept 05, only 1 year ago. The Band Students & Parents have been fundraising, several of them other than a car wash in Aug. since the very beginning, and will continue to do so. As far as the other Band you mentioned, did your Friend happend to tell you that Lassiter HS Band was given a 5-6 digit figure donation & that somebody else in the community matched it? Guess not... Parents were given a payment plan for this trip, and it was spread out over several month's. It does not matter how many awards, how big the size of the Band is, etc, just keep in mind that life does goes on outside of extra activies for these Students, such as Parents have lost jobs, taken pay cuts, family illness, but they are trying. Just please get your facts straight before posting any further info that you are not clear about. After all, it's really all about the Kids..... isn't it?????

THANKS TO THE BAND PARENT ABOVE for trying to set you straight on how long the FCHS boosters have been working to pay for this trip and why they are in this crisis to start with. Did you read Mr. Beard's letter? Let me summarize:

On Sept. 8 the chairman of the Rose Bowl Committee came to F'ville, saw the size of the band at halftime and questioned the fewer numbers. When the band applied during the 2004-05 school year they had @ 200 members. With enrollment declines, the band this year only marches 150 ... and 25 of those planned not to go because of financial reasons. The scramble is to raise enough money for the entire band (including those 25) because anything less than 150 kid is too small by Rose Bowl standards, and to cancel now wouldn't be fair to anybody. Make sense?

As for fundraising, the FCHS Band Boosters Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit corporation licensed by the Secretary of State to provide financial support for the band program. The athletic boosters, etc. have the same status. The BOE budget only pays for teacher salaries and instruction costs, so everything else (uniforms, music, instruments, flags, auxillary staff, bottled water, even travel to away football games, etc) has to be paid for by the boosters. Their longest-running project is the Miss Pride of Fayette County pageant. They also host a marching band contest each fall and a golf tournament in the spring, and parent members volunteer at places like the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena and Hi-Fi Buys amphitheater working concessions in exchange for donations. I have no idea what the current budet is, but the last one I saw about 5 years ago was well into six-figures ... yes.

Your rather smug suggestion that Mr. Beard is just trying to add trips to his resume is plain stupid since he's retiring at the end of this school year.

FINALLY: Comparisons to Lassiter are irrelevant based on the facts above, but even so your information is far from accurate or complete. Since opening in 1981 (same year as McIntosh, BTW) Lassiter High in Cobb County has earned a well-deserved reputation for having what most regard as the best music program in the nation. The Marching Trojans aren't just big but also very good, setting a standard for musical excellence and innovation that reaches across the country. And they have the awards and honors to prove it.

They have marched in the Rose Bowl parade three times -- in 1988, 2001 and again on Jan. 1, 2005. Unbelieveably, just a month before, Lassiter was in NYC marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. They also did Macy's in 1999. Reportedly, they are the only high school that has ever accepted invites to perform in both parades on opposite sides of the country just a month apart. Talk about fundraising!

The "big trip every four years" you mention isn't in reference to parades but rather the Bands of America Grand National Championships, held over three days each November in the Hoosier Dome in Indiana. In the weeks leading up to it are a series of regional contests in venues around the country (one is at the Georgia Dome). Any band that seriously wants to do well in the Grand Nationals must get experience in the regional events. It is an intensely competitve environment that can take a toll (mentally and physically) on the students. It's also very expensive. Early on Lassiter's director, Alfred Watkins, decided he did not want to demand that of his students, and would only try for a national title every four years (allowing as you said each student to have the experience once in their high school careers.) Lassiter first went to Nationals in 1990, placing 5th. In 1994, they came in 3rd. In 1998, they won the national title with the highest score in the history of BOA. In 2002, after four years of building anticipation across the country, they went back to BOA and did it again. This being 2006, Lassiter should be going back ... but instead, Watkins says they've achieved what they set out to do and have retired from BOA Nationals.

If you want to see Lassiter's band, however, I understand they will be performing at Sandy Creek High School's marching contest on Saturday, Oct. 14.

I am wondering why FCHS Band is making this a 6-day trip? I think many have lost sight of the true purpose of this trip...to march in the Parade, not visit Disneyland, ride the coaster at the Santa Monica Pier, tour Beverly Hills with a Map to the Stars. I would never allow my child to participate in an event in which I could not fully fund and then ask for donations. Maybe these parents who can not pay should get a night time job for a few months. Sorry, but they've known how long this trip was scheduled? This is just ridiculous! I would love to see a balance sheet of the expenses so far....I'm interested to know if the chaperones are receiving a discount and if the Director's family is accompanying him free of charge or at a discount; also, there are a million ways to reduce cost if you look hard enough (i.e. flights, hotels, shuttles, etc).

Why can't the Booster Club help pay for some of this expense? I know I've given them enough money to them so far and haven't seen squat done for my child's sport.

My family of four flies home to Los Angeles twice a year to visit family, and believe me, we are not wealthy people, but we make it happen by budgeting properly.

about this comment...

The band itself should pull together and work at fund-raising to help those that can't afford to go... but, again, you see the same few at the fundraisers, over and over.

Because it is truth. Whenever there is a fundraiser out in the community, or band booster parents working concession stands, it is always the same people, over and over, not the band as a whole. I'm not just talking about at FCHS, either.

Yea, this third BIG trip in six years is a real honor ... like winning a beauty pageant is an honor....... for the 'pageant mommy'. Your grandious opinion of your invitation is pathetic. Every band is invited - after letting it be known they are interested - to a multitude of events. Your band has been on SEVERAL trips...big and small. All county bands have. If you have the money and want your kids to miss school while your SAT scores are dropping like a rock - have at it, but don't ask the community for money to feed your damaged ego. As for supporting the football team - move your band performance to Saturday night and see how many fans show up on Friday (still) and how many come just to see the band on Saturday. Isn't halftime of most televised games completely ignored.... DUH! You steal the football concessions and whine whine whine about money. In the Old School Football days - band parents and students knew fans were there for the GAME....check your ego tuba head.

... that ANYBODY had to question why "someone would plan a trip during Christmas break..." What kind of ego trip is Kenny Beard on anyway?

WELL ... HERE'S ONE POSSIBILITY: To participate in the ROSE BOWL PARADE, which coincides with the ROSE BOWL COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME which has been played on NEW YEAR'S DAY for about 100 years, you'd pretty much have to go during the holidays. When would you suggest the Fayette band take the trip? Summer maybe?

And if you think flying to California for 36 hours on a "mini trip" to march in a five-mile-long parade a reasonable alternative, you've clearly never been to California. SPOT OFF!

... BUT WHAT'S TO BE EXPECTED? Mr. Beard's request wasn't intended, I'm sure, for folks like you who openly loathe all that's good in our community and live to tear it down daily on this site. How else to explain your self-righteous condemnation of a program that has brought so much recognition to FCHS and Fayette County through the years? Only FCHS athletic boosters could be so bitter ... year after year sitting in that stadium knowing it was the band filling the seats and NOT the football team will do that to you.

AND IN CASE YOU STILL CARE ABOUT THE POINT ... The trip to Pasadena would not be in trouble if the numbers of students enrolled at FCHS hadn't declined so dramatically over the past two years. When the Rose Bowl Committee invited the band it had well over 200 members, and 25 not going wouldn't be that big a deal. But with just 150 kids total this year, the loss of 25 would make the band too small for Rose Bowl standards ... and whose fault is that? The Board of Education, of course, for screwing up the attendance zones and leaving FCHS in this mess. Surely you can sympathize with that?

and the kids at FCHS are better off educationally with a smaller school. Or should they continue with overcrowding because the band can't go to Pasadena???

No doubt about it. Smaller classes, lower student to teacher ratios, smaller numbers to manage and support for facilities - smaller is better. By the way - thanks for thinking of the kids...you know - all the kids - not just the band kids from ONE of five high schools in the county like newsboy does. Australia, London, now Pasadena .... geez, can't you get the jazz band on the space shuttle for a few million each?

The only people over at FCHS who actually believe that load of hay are the long-suffering football boosters who somehow got it in their heads that SMALLER would make it easier to field a winning football team. HUH? I'll never figure that one ... BUT BOY HOWDY when you hate the band as much as they do, you'll convince yourselves of just about anything! Everybody can see FCHS is hurting bad, but why should they care? The Tigers are at .500!

When the school enrolled more than 2,200 kids back in 02-03, something needed to be done. All those trailers were a fire hazard and had to go. That's why Whitewater was built! But the goal should have been to bring FCHS back down to what it was designed to hold -- about 1,800 kids -- and not strip it of so many students and faculty that it spirals from largest to smallest high school in the county in the span of just three senior classes! That's BETTTER OFF? Better off dead, maybe ...

The request for financial support sure took an unexpected turn - now it's the football boosters ill will? Then it's the BOE's fault for building a new school?

A larger school population doesn't directly lend itself to successful fundraising - there are plenty of small schools (public & private) who raise what they need, with additional funds for their wants.

You actually implied a smaller school means a better football team? I'll venture it may be the lower student-to-teacher ratio that is more important to most parents.

... Because I have no idea where you're coming from. Football boosters jumped head-first into this blog and started slamming Mr. Beard from the get-go, so they deserve all the ill will they get ... As for the rest of your train wreck of an attempt to muddy the water, go back to high school ... clearly, you missed out on the lessons in reading comprehension.

The first bloger has said they are not a booster, I am certainly not a booster, who are you saying is the booster?? If you don't know, then what's all the "it's the football booster clubs fault" excuses?? If this is any indication of how the football boosters and the band boosters get along at FCHS that's just plain embarassing!! Perhaps the band should stop taking all the football concessions receipts since no other county does that and it is clearly not enough money for your band to be satisfied. Also, isn't John DeCotis' wife the band booster president at FCHS??

WHAT"S THE DIFFERENCE? You are an "Old School Football Fan" with no appreciation for the band program or what it means to SOME people. You can't be faulted for being ignorant (though being loose with the "facts" is something else). And where does this harsh criticism of ME come from????

>>> You steal the football concessions and whine whine whine about money. In the Old School Football days - band parents and students knew fans were there for the GAME....check your ego tuba head!

You really don't know the difference between a booster (financially tied to promote a specific cause), a supporter (someone who works to promote he welfare and /or gives financial support to a specific cause) and a Fan ( short for fanatic - just look it up lady)? That's a shame. Seems ignorance abounds. By the way - you never addressed the issue of you (band boosters) taking the football concessions in Fayetteville. And you making it personal is a bit hypocritical - "You are an "Old School Football Fan" with no appreciation for the band program or what it means to SOME people. You can't be faulted for being ignorant (though being loose with the "facts" is something else)." Sems you are all about money to most of us(you did post the letter requesting money thinking we would all feel sorry for you and donate - correct?. Don't be surprised at how the tone of this blog went. Most of us find your band trip just another waste of time and money. If your student is good enough, they will 'march' in college. You may be shocked to know there are bands in the state that can't even afford instuments. Maybe you and Mr. Beard can use the money you have thusfar raised to buy them some band instuments for the needy. Yawn - you spoiled rich kids never cease to amaze me. Try teaching them the importance of being with their family over the holidays. Again - check your ego 'band mom' and get with the real program.

I posted the very first comment in response to the letter, and I am NOT a football or any other athletic booster parent (or student player). I'm not a band parent, either, but know more band booster parents than I do athletic booster parents. And they agree with me. Just so you know.

... If you have no ties to the band, what's your beef with the program? You seem almost proud of the fact you were the first to respond ... with criticism! And for what? My only intention was to help Mr. Beard spread the word, and I didn't even add my own thoughts. No, all the anger and bitterness being expressed on here toward the band is of your own making ... and for the life of me I don't get it. Why would you go out of your way to cast such a negative spin on something that otherwise should be a point of pride and good for the community? Seriously ...

Seriously, I do. And when I was at a parade up in DC a few years ago, and saw a band from Georgia, I was proud of them just because they were from Georgia. So it has nothing to do with not being a supporter or fan of the bands.

Do you want to respond to this comment in my original post? Or is it too truthful for you to find anything wrong with it?

The band itself should pull together and work at fund-raising to help those that can't afford to go... but, again, you see the same few at the fundraisers, over and over.

Stop blaming everyone for rejecting your use of the blog to try to raise money for a tyrant that takes vacations at parents' and the county's expense. Even your fund begging costs us money ($15 for 6oz. of chocolate cashews, etc.)So far you have blamed football boosters, the BOE, me, and two other bloggers. Duh - are you serious?? No one here is angry but you ... you started the blog.... we are just speaking our minds.

What you so casually dismiss as "speaking your mind" in calling the band director at FCHS a "tyrant" is in fact bordering on defamation (i.e. slander). You think I'm kidding? If nothing else, you've crossed a line of decency and shown your inability to contribute intelligent, rational commentary to this site. It may not be your end, but I'm finished with you. And by the way, it's SHAKERAG HILL, for crying out loud.

You seem like a tyrant too ...... your opinion (see opine in the dictionary) is not the only one allowed here (egocentrist)and yes, there is a Shakerag hill near what you all now call 'Petrol Point' and 54 but those who had convertibles (like my dad and me back in the day) also know where Ragtop Hill is.... I think you call it the Peachtree Parkway at the bridge now. Regardless, relax, you are wound wayyy too tight. Stop using a public blog to ask people for money if you are so sensitive as to how your program is perceived outside of your cocoon. Remember, you are just one of five bands in this county (in one of over 150 counties in the state). Maybe you and Kenny need to take your band on 'vacation' to a less expensive place - hey, how about you play at the 'Cotton Picking Fair' in Gay, GA.??? Now that's a good idea. And you don't have to call me Sir, I am retired, call men who work Sir, Ma'am.

If you live on Ragtop Hill, I'll bet you know where Stop, GA is located. Newsboy must not be from around here.

NOT HARDLY -- I'm a seventh generation Fayette County native, born and raised. My grandmother's great-great-great-grandparents were already living here in 1821 when Georgia ran the Creek Indians off, claimed the territory and started selling land lots, which makes my ancestors original taxpayers. In fact, what was left of the original homeplace (where my grandmother was born) remained in the family until just a few years ago when a great-uncle and the last to live there died. I'd tell you more, but would hate for you to find out we're related.

I was enjoying the threads regarding Satchel and Bucky. You must be just upset Newsboy to be citing slander and defamation at 0400 on a Sunday morning. A little over the top don't you think. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
My opinion is that my kids played sports and I worked hard for 12 years to raise money to help with expenses. I belonged to the Boosters clubs and we did hold fund raisers but certainly didn't expect the community to give 30 to 40 thousand dollars on a moments notice. ( I swore I would never work in another consession stand as long as I lived.) We didn't ask the community for money. We worked all year long and did what we needed to do. A fund was maintained to ensure expences for all members of the team would be taken care of. With Classic soccer,we had many tournaments in such places a Texas, California and many places on the east coast. They wern't one day trips either. Since these were not school events we sure wouldn't have asked anyone for money. If for some reason we fell short, (only happened once), the kids had to suck it up and knew there would be other opportunities ahead.
While a great honor for the band, life does hold disappointments. If the Band Boosters and parents haven't been diligent in fund raising, then I am sorry. I do hope they make it. Just remember, Failure to plan on your part does not comstitute an emergency on my part.

"While a great honor for the band, life does hold disappointments. If the Band Boosters and parents haven't been diligent in fund raising, then I am sorry. I do hope they make it. Just remember, Failure to plan on your part does not comstitute an emergency on my part."

You put that very well and I agree.

Being an FCHS grad, I have a special place in my heart for the school. And I do hope they are able to work things out. But forgive me if I don't view this as an "emergency" when the FCHS band has been on a number of rather expensive trips in the past few years. Sometimes unexpected situations arise and you have to live with the consequences. It's called life.

I can remember being in the chorus in the 80s when a trip to Europe was planned. A small group of us knew we simply could not afford to go and no amount of fundraising (which we were to do individually) was going to change that. As it turned out, the entire trip had to be cancelled because of the Lockerbie tragedy. That was just the way it turned out and life went on.

at band camp..

Sorry...I just couldn't resist. (For those that have not seen "American Pie", nevermind).

HA!

Just what exactly is that a picture of?

a dog hugging a cat. From the cartoon strip "Get Fuzzy" it is the characters Satchel and Bucky. I'm getting tired of that avatar, though, so may change it soon.

Please keep Bucky & Satchel! It's the best thing going on here!

Is Satchel the cat???

Satchel is the dog, Bucky is the cat. I think the dog is named after some famous jazz musician from the past, if I remember correctly.

Satchel Page=Baseball player
Satchmo=Jazz musician

Was there a musician also named Satchel?

Just read a website that alleges the cat and dog were named after ballplayers Buck O'Neil and Satchel Paige (sic); an alternate theory is that Bucky was named after Bucky Dent, another ballplayer. Either way, it's a pretty good comic strip, although a little inconsistent. Occasionally hysterical, sometimes just okay.

Yes, I realize Satchmo was a musician, but I seem to recall reading a Get Fuzzy comic strip in the past where the dog's name was explained. Maybe it was the ballplayer, I don't remember. Go to comics.com and you can read some of the Get Fuzzy strips. I clicked on characters, but it didn't give the origins of the names.

Don't you people realize there is a community crisis at FCHS!! 'Dig deep in to your pockets, past the change, in to the Fooolding Money! And send those poor deprived band children money for six days in California! Not to Children's Healthcare, not to the Red Cross, not to breast cancer research.... but to FCHS band "tour of the world fund" (Australia - check , London - check).... Satchel smatchel.....this is a CRISIS! Lord how I love this blog (thanks Newsboy).