GCM Band Parents Organization
BPO Activities and Committees
We are all volunteers, and we need your help. The BPO and Band Program expect each family to volunteer a minimum of 5 shifts plus Tag Day throughout the marching season. We are looking for Committee Chairs and Co-chairs who will help to organize and lead the efforts below as well as individuals to sign up for specific tasks related to each category. Signup Geniuses will be linked here when there are opportunities available. Please email the board for more info on any of these Committees.
Uniforms: BPO Volunteers help fit the students with Marching and Concert uniforms, assist the students with uniform distribution and collection for performances and competitions, and help organize and sort uniforms at the beginning and end of the year.
Tag Day: Tag Day is a tradition in the Marshall High School community. Every September, band students go door-to-door throughout the Marshall school district requesting donations to support the music program. It is the biggest fundraiser for the band. Students leave a “Tag” (an information sheet asking for a mail-in or online donation) on doors if the residents are not home. BPO volunteers coordinate the event, drive the students, and provide breakfast and an ice cream social at the end of the day.
Concession Stand: In August, BPO volunteers clean up the concession stand at the football stadium and get it ready for the fall season. Parent volunteers buy food and drinks in advance of game day, make popcorn, hot chocolate, grill hot dogs, etc., and staff the stand during varsity and JV football and field hockey games. All proceeds from the concession stand sales go directly to the BPO.
Hospitality/Band Lunches: Parents organize, order, and serve lunch during band camp; organize the fall and spring band banquets; and support other events throughout the year as needed.
Props: In August and September, parents build the props used on the field during the marching show.
Communication/Publicity/Social Media: Social and traditional media coverage helps the BPO spread the word through the Marshall and Falls Church/Vienna communities about upcoming performances and events, including half-time shows at the football games, marching in the Vienna Halloween and Falls Church Memorial Day parades, and the success of the GCM Band in competitions and assessments.
Transportation: Parents rent a truck, drive the instruments to competitions and assessments, and work with students to load and unload the equipment.
Pit Crew: Parents help move the front ensemble equipment (a group of standing instruments) on and off the field during games and competitions.
Spirit Wear: Parents organize and sell clothing with the band logo. This is a service the BPO provides, not a fundraiser.
Volunteer Coordinator/Parent Engagement: The BPO uses Signup Genius to notify parents of volunteer opportunities and to coordinate volunteers. Parents create the sign up forms, monitor sign ups, and recruit volunteers.
Spring Fundraiser: There are two components to our Spring Fundraiser. Students individually sell tickets for a drawing with fabulous prizes. They also play music in small groups in front of local businesses on Blitz Day, accepting donations and selling raffle tickets to passersby. BPO volunteers organize the raffle and provide chaperones on Blitz Day.
Ready to volunteer? Sign up here
Have questions? Didn't see a SignUpGenius link for the way you want to volunteer? Email the BPO here:
President
We are all volunteers, and we need your help. The BPO and Band Program expect each family to volunteer a minimum of 5 shifts plus Tag Day throughout the marching season. We are looking for Committee Chairs and Co-chairs who will help to organize and lead the efforts below as well as individuals to sign up for specific tasks related to each category. Signup Geniuses will be linked here when there are opportunities available. Please email the board for more info on any of these Committees.
Uniforms: BPO Volunteers help fit the students with Marching and Concert uniforms, assist the students with uniform distribution and collection for performances and competitions, and help organize and sort uniforms at the beginning and end of the year.
Tag Day: Tag Day is a tradition in the Marshall High School community. Every September, band students go door-to-door throughout the Marshall school district requesting donations to support the music program. It is the biggest fundraiser for the band. Students leave a “Tag” (an information sheet asking for a mail-in or online donation) on doors if the residents are not home. BPO volunteers coordinate the event, drive the students, and provide breakfast and an ice cream social at the end of the day.
Concession Stand: In August, BPO volunteers clean up the concession stand at the football stadium and get it ready for the fall season. Parent volunteers buy food and drinks in advance of game day, make popcorn, hot chocolate, grill hot dogs, etc., and staff the stand during varsity and JV football and field hockey games. All proceeds from the concession stand sales go directly to the BPO.
Hospitality/Band Lunches: Parents organize, order, and serve lunch during band camp; organize the fall and spring band banquets; and support other events throughout the year as needed.
Props: In August and September, parents build the props used on the field during the marching show.
Communication/Publicity/Social Media: Social and traditional media coverage helps the BPO spread the word through the Marshall and Falls Church/Vienna communities about upcoming performances and events, including half-time shows at the football games, marching in the Vienna Halloween and Falls Church Memorial Day parades, and the success of the GCM Band in competitions and assessments.
Transportation: Parents rent a truck, drive the instruments to competitions and assessments, and work with students to load and unload the equipment.
Pit Crew: Parents help move the front ensemble equipment (a group of standing instruments) on and off the field during games and competitions.
Spirit Wear: Parents organize and sell clothing with the band logo. This is a service the BPO provides, not a fundraiser.
Volunteer Coordinator/Parent Engagement: The BPO uses Signup Genius to notify parents of volunteer opportunities and to coordinate volunteers. Parents create the sign up forms, monitor sign ups, and recruit volunteers.
Spring Fundraiser: There are two components to our Spring Fundraiser. Students individually sell tickets for a drawing with fabulous prizes. They also play music in small groups in front of local businesses on Blitz Day, accepting donations and selling raffle tickets to passersby. BPO volunteers organize the raffle and provide chaperones on Blitz Day.
Ready to volunteer? Sign up here
Have questions? Didn't see a SignUpGenius link for the way you want to volunteer? Email the BPO here:
President
