2023-2024 School Year
Band Costs
As with any sport or major extracurricular activity, there are costs associated with participation in Clark Band. Those costs vary from year-to-year depending upon the travel and contest schedule of the band. To keep costs as low as possible, our booster organization holds fundraising events throughout the year. Those fundraising dollars benefit the band as a whole and cover much of the band’s needs.
Although booster fundraising and PISD funding account for a majority of the band’s budget, there are costs we ask families to pay through fees. Below are the required and optional Clark Band estimated costs for the 2023-2024 School Year:
Band
(Marchers, Front Ensemble, Drumline)
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Band Required Costs |
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Gear Package (varies by student) |
~$300.00 |
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Band Shirt |
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Band Shorts |
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Band Shoes |
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Show Shirt |
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Gloves |
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Water Jug |
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Game Day Meals (~9 meals) |
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Uniform Cleaning Fee |
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Band Operational Expense |
$300.00 |
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Band Optional Costs |
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All-Region Contest Entry Fee – Set by the Region |
~$15.00 |
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UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest Entry Fee - Set by the Region |
~$15.00 |
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Fall Six Flags or Main Event Type of Activity |
~$60.00 |
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Spring Activity |
~$60.00 |
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Total Band Costs (if all in on every event/item) |
~$750.00 |
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Color Guard
(Color Guard performers)
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Color Guard Required Costs |
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Gear Package (varies by student) |
~$250.00 |
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Band Shirt |
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Guard Shorts |
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Guard Tank Top |
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Guard Jacket |
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Show Shirt |
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Flag Bag |
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Gloves |
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Water Jug |
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Ultimate Drill Book App |
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Show Uniform |
~150.00 |
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Band Operational Expense |
$125.00 |
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Color Guard Optional Costs |
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Fall Six Flags or Main Event Type of Activity |
~$60.00 |
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Spring Activity |
~$60.00 |
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Total Color Guard Cost (if all in on every event/item) |
~$645.00 |
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Band Operational Expense
The $300 operational expense for band and the $125 operational expense for color guard (who are only in the color guard and not in the band) is a required cost that covers Clark Band expenses such as Music Rights/Licenses, Marching Drill (choreography), Visuals/Props, Clinicians & Instructors (summer sectionals, marching form and instruction, concert season clinicians), Contest Entry Fees, Transportation, and Equipment Truck Rental.
Clark Band could not function without these items, which is why the band operational expense is required. The operational expense is capped for the year at $300 for band and $125 for color guard (who are only in the color guard and not in the band) …even though that is below what these items cost. It is capped to stay in line with other bands and major activities within PISD and the North Texas area. The remainder of the expenses will need to be covered through fundraising.
Fundraising
Because the required band operational expense and PISD funding do not cover all of Clark Band’s necessary expenses, fundraising through the booster club must happen. The band boosters hold numerous fundraising events throughout the year. Those events include the Clark Concerto and Silent Auction, Tamale Sales, a “Write-a-Check”/Vertical Raise campaign and more. To meet the needs of the band and keep costs like the band operational expense and trip fees as low as possible, the boosters must raise money. Your support in fundraising is critical.
To meet the band’s needs, the boosters must raise $50,000+ in a typical year.
All fundraisers will serve to benefit each student equally. IRS rules and PISD policy prohibit “individual fundraising accounts” wherein students can earn a “benefit” of reducing their individual costs through fundraising. When that benefit is credited to only those individuals who participate in fundraising (and not to every student equally), that violates the rules of being a non-profit organization, which is a designation the booster club holds. Instead, the IRS and PISD dictate that any raised funds must benefit the band as a whole to reach each student equally.
So how, then, can a family reduce their costs through fundraising? Meeting the financial needs of the band through fundraising will reduce the obligation to meet it through other means such as student fees. When you increase one piece of the pie, another piece can get smaller. So, the more funds we raise as a band, the lower our individual “per student” fees and costs will become. Fundraising participation will be critical.
How to Pay
When Clark Band payments are due, go to your account on MTK! It is your one-stop-shop!
Credit or Debit Card - Pay via credit or debit card on MTK at https://clarkband.membershiptoolkit.com/
Schedule of Payments
The following is an approximate schedule of payments. Due dates will be firmed up and communicated to parents as the year progresses.
Band
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Jul ’23 |
~$300 Gear Package (actual cost varies by student) |
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Fall ’23 |
Band Operational Expense: |
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Full payment ($300): Aug ‘23 |
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Payment plan 1 (2 payments of $150): Aug ’23, September ‘23 |
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Payment plan 2 (3 payments of $100): Aug ’23, September ’23, October ‘23 |
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Payment plan 3 (6 payments of $50): Aug ’23, September ’23, October ’23, November ’23, December ’23, January ‘24 |
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Nov ’23 |
~$15 All-Region, ~$60 activity (Six Flags, etc.) |
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Spring ’24 |
~$60 Spring Activity, ~$15 UIL Solo & Ensemble Fee |
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Color Guard
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June ’23 |
~150 Show Uniform |
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Jul ’23 |
~$250 Gear Package (actual cost varies by student) |
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Fall ’23 |
Band Operational Expense: |
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Full payment ($125): Aug ‘23 |
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Payment plan 1 (2 payments of $62.50): Aug ’23, September ‘23 |
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Payment plan 2 (3 payments of $42.67): Aug ’23, September ’23, October ‘23 |
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Nov ‘23 |
~$60 activity (Six Flags, etc.) |
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Spring ‘24 |
~$60 Spring Activity |
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Financial Statements
As fees and costs become due, parents will be emailed individual statements outlining the costs that are due and any previous transactions that have occurred throughout the year. Payments may be made at any time. It is not necessary to wait for the due date. Partial payments may also be made as long as the total due is paid by the due date.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance in the form of deferred payment plans are available. Although Clark Band required costs are in line with PISD and North Texas schools, we understand that fees can cause difficulty. Please reach out to the directors or booster president if that is the case. We are more than happy to discuss options.
Please do not let financial considerations keep you from the band experience!
Questions
If you have questions, please reach out to Sally Pylant (Booster President) at clarkbandpresident@gmail.com or the Directors. We’re happy to assist!
