MONTE VISTA - During Monte Vista school district’s last school board meeting, band director Jason Paschall came to give the board an update on the band program.

“It goes without saying that our marching season this year was a success. I’m proud of how hard our students worked and how much our community really came together to bring a state championship banner back to Monte Vista. There are many things that contributed to that success,” said Paschall adding, “Our show design helped us out a lot, an emphasis for me on improving our band’s technique, and an early start to our competitive season. We could not of had the success that we had without a staff that includes Justin Romero and Sam Crawford. And lastly, the unwavering support of our family, community and our district. All the success that we’ve had does come with a price tag and that’s kind of what I wanted to share with you a bit.”

Paschall went on to share with the board how the costs of running the program have grown in recent years, “It’s no longer just about the music and the marching. With competition scores increasingly becoming dependent on general effect of the production and the performers. Elaborate costumes, sets, props, and electronic amplification equipment have become pretty much the norm. These all come at a cost, and when you add in the food and lodging for multiple trips during the competitive season for 60 plus kids, staff and chaperones…all of the sudden that price tag becomes a lot larger,” said Paschall. Paschall went on to tell the board that the cost of doing business for the Monte Vista High School band last fall was just over $16,000.

Their production costs this year went up. Paschall shared that their show design costs for this year where $4,000. In addition, $1,500 was spent to have music written for the band that no one else had played. They also have to pay $1,000 to the Colorado Band Masters to be able to perform. Every competition that the band goes to they have to pay about $330 to register to be there, explained Paschall.

Paschall also shared that the bulk of the cost is the expense of lodging, food and travel. “This fall’s marching band expenses exceeds my yearly high school budget. It’s worth noting that much of this money did not come necessarily straight from the district.” Paschall shared how the band did some fundraising and was able to raise several thousand dollars selling chocolate. He also shared how they received some generous donations from an organization and from parents and other community members.

“That number is a bit daunting. But if I’m being honest the results show you we spent the money investing in a better show and other things and we got results. I’m pretty confident in the future that we’re going to be spending a similar amount of money. As much as I’m always trying to look for ways to save it,” said Paschall.

Paschall also shared with the board the need the band has for some new instruments. Also due to the lack of a music repair service in the Valley, Paschall is now having to fix instruments himself, or send them out of the Valley to be repaired.

“I feel like the future of the Monte Vista Band program is a bright one. If you thought this year’s band was good, next year’s is going to be better and the year after that. For all the press that our high school band got our middle school band has really raised the bar,” stated Paschall adding, “I’m happy to say that music literacy has increased exponentially at the middle school. The strength of work ethic and motivation is also great and we’ve had a lot of really strong natural leaders in the middle school band. I’m really excited for what lies ahead in the years to come with such a talented generation being brought into the fold with all that we have in the Monte Vista Band. In conclusion, it’s no secret that the legacy of the Monte Vista Band is great and I’m really fortunate to be a part of that continued tradition. Looking ahead if you as the board want to do what’s best for our growing and thriving band please consider the needs of our students and what educational and artistic opportunities you want our district to provide them.”

“There are many needs in our district and we have to weigh out the dollars that we don’t get, but it is on our minds,” school board President Gary Wilkinson told Paschall adding, “We appreciate all that you’ve done. We appreciate what you’ve brought to the district and what you do for our kids. Many school districts have cut out all of these things because of the expense and one of the great prides that I have in this district is that we are going to do the best for our kids in as many levels as possible. I think we do an amazing job with the resources we have. We have to get creative in finding other sources of funding. We’re paying attention and we’ll do whatever we can with the limitations.”