WOW! We are THRILLED that in just over a week, YOU showed how important music is to the community and we can pay the stipends for these positions! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We will keep this fundraiser live for a little bit longer. Any additional money will go into the SHMPA budget which is very small this year. We will be able to fund things like color guard supplies, pit musicians for the musicals, transportation for field trips, and more with your support.

This year, the South Hadley schools, along with many other districts, announced massive budget cuts. We thought music had already been cut to the bone, but the district thought otherwise. A few years ago, there were four music teachers district wide. In the fall, there will be two. The high school music director, who runs almost every performing arts group at the school (Harlequins, marching band, Vocal Roar, band, and chorus) will also be responsible for teaching band and chorus at the middle school, too. The role was already more than one person should manage. These cuts make it impossible.

Today, we are raising funds specifically to cover the stipends of the percussion arranger and assistant band director for the upcoming marching season. Ms. Curtis needs the support of these roles in order to have a marching band this year. She has been working diligently to regionalize the band to help the numbers grow. The students are looking forward to the season, and are fearful that it won’t be happening at all.

The district sees dwindling participation as a part of the problem. The problem, in fact, is that the cuts to the department over the years have eliminated the band program in the elementary school. We are no longer reaching students when they are most excited about learning to play an instrument. SHMPA had been planning conversations surrounding elementary band programs and instead, we are here trying to scrape together small stipends we never imagined would be cut.

Not too many years ago, the gym was PACKED with young musicians. We believe that could and should be the case again.

Please consider helping the Tiger Pride Marching Band by ensuring the funding for the staff needed to support the season.

Tiger Pride Marches On!

By South Hadley Music Parents Association Inc

Tiger Pride Marches On!

Help the South Hadley High School Tiger Pride Marching Band pay their staff! Fund positions lost due to huge district cuts in an effort to make sure the band marches on!