RAISING FUNDS WITH SUDS AND ELBOW GREASE -- FERNANDINA BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL'S BAND CAR WASH
An annual fundraiser held in Fernandina Beach is the middle school's band car wash to raise funds to help support the band program at this Nassau County, Florida public school located on Amelia Island.
Held again in the Kmart parking lot, Fernandina Beach Middle School band students along with volunteering parents, washed cars all day long September 13th for a great cause. They washed 150-plus cars in the hot sun to raise dollars for the band's 2008-2009 program. While some funding for the band program comes from the school district, additional funding is required to run the program. Fund raising efforts must be successful to supplement the band's budget each year.
The car washing event was well organized and the kids seemed to be having fun, rotating around several work stations -- some used brushes to scrub hubcaps, others washed the cars, some rinsed, and another group dried the cars off. The "marketing" shift took turns holding up "car wash" signs on Sadler Road by Kmart, trying to "drum up" business.
The local Nassau County, Florida public school district is one of 67 public school districts in the state, and can be very proud of its band program.
FERNANDINA MIDDLE SCHOOL -- THREE BAND LEVELS
There are three Fernandina Beach Middle School band groups -- the beginner band, the concert band and the highest level, symphonic. Randy Hamm is the middle school's dedicated band director, who is obviously devoted to music and the kids. Some parents of band students also donate their time to help out with the middle school's band program.
Mr. Hamm encourages the love of music, prepares the students for several concerts (fall, holiday, pop and spring) held at the Fernandina Beach Middle School, as well as various band competitions. The symphonic band also plays at some of the school's pep rallies and football games.
The Fernandina Beach Middle School is one of the highest performing public middle schools in Florida, having earned an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for eight years in a row. Only a handful of middle schools in Florida have achieved such merits.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND MEMBERS WILL PLAY AROUND TOWN FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The FBMS fundraising efforts are not over by any means. This holiday season, expect to see these talented youth playing favorite holiday songs at local stores such as Publix, Harris Teeter, and other local venues. The tip jar will be there, for folks to donate to the FBMS band fund. In the spring, the Symphonic band students will travel up to Washington, D.C. to partipate in a band competition. These are the kids who will spend time playing music around town during the holidays to try and raise money for their trip. Please help support these young musicians this holiday season, and enjoy a holiday tune.
Of course, these Fernandina middle schoolers will have the opportunity to continue their musical education when they go to high school. The Fernandina Beach High School also offers an excellent band program.
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