When we think of school morale and Bedford’s representation, most people imagine sports teams and academic extracurriculars. A key group often overlooked is the music department. At BHS, band might look like another class on a student’s schedule, but it’s a lot more than that.
From the outside, it’s easy to overlook everything that goes into it, especially when most people only see the final performances at games or concerts. But behind those moments is a group of students putting in time, effort, and dedication to represent the school. Through band shows, football games, parades and a variety of other events, students dedicate time on weekends and work tirelessly to make sure Bedford is adequately represented in the musical scene. Band also serves school activities, helping create school spirit, supporting student athletes and bringing energy to events that would otherwise feel flat. Through music, the band supports school morale in an irreplaceable way and unifies BHS. That’s why it’s important to understand not just what the band does, but how it’s supported.
Even as someone who is not a part of the band class, it’s clear how much the band adds to the school. The energy at games wouldn’t be the same without them. At the same time, for students who are actually a part of band class, it can create real opportunities for the future and a strong sense of community. Because of this, supporting band isn’t just about funding an extracurricular, it’s about strengthening a community that serves the whole town.
While the school does provide funding for supplies, instrument repairs, and equipment, that funding is dependent on student enrollment and planned costs. This means the program is supported, but not always in a way that covers everything the band actually needs. Bigger expenses like uniforms or special opportunities can’t always be fully covered by the regular budget. That’s where the gap starts to show.
Because of that, fundraisers are a huge part of keeping the band running and improving. Throughout the year, band takes part in multiple fundraisers to help cover those extra costs, majority run by the Music Boosters, a parent run organization. Whether it’s selling items, helping at events, or volunteering time, there are a lot of easy, fulfilling ways people can get involved. Supporting these fundraisers is one of the easiest ways for people to directly make a difference in supporting the music department.
Make sure you keep an eye out, as these events are advertised through posters and social media and there are many opportunities and different ways to help out. We hope to see YOU supporting the music department in the future!
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