Keep your eyes peeled for a very important announcement regarding the Play-a-thon on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

his year’s Play-a-thon takes place on Friday, October 15th, 2021. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year and it’s a lot of fun. As you might already know, the CHS Band program receives no direct funding from the school district. Your donations are what keep this program running. Money raised at the Play-a-thon supports all aspects of our program and covers a variety of costs such as purchasing sheet music, subsidies for performance attire, travel to festivals and parades, solo and ensemble registrations, specialist teacher support, among others.

Some high schools institute a mandatory fee for band of $100 or more per student, in addition to instrument rental fees charged by the district. Mr. Riler and the Friends of Cleveland Bands feel strongly that access should be available to all. This is why we ask friends and family to support the program with donations that are meaningful and appropriate to them. We do not want to limit any student’s ability to participate!

Mr. Riler is hoping to have most of the “business” items taken care of no later than Friday, September 24.

1. Syllabus & Handbook Signatures submitted
2. Contracts completed for students that are using PPS instruments

Emails have been sent home regarding both of these items. Thank you for helping Mr. Riler have this all buttoned up as soon as possible.

Under Gary Riler’s directorship, we have seen the Cleveland band program flourish in ways many of us couldn’t have imagined years ago. But none of this would be possible without the tireless support of the greater band community under the guidance of the Friends of Cleveland Bands, who have pioneered so many ways to promote our program and our musicians.

A number of key positions in the FOCB organization are opening up as seniors matriculate and take their parents with them. We urge parents and guardians whose students are remaining (especially freshmen & sophomores) to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to help steer the program to continued success. It takes a community to build a community! Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Kristy Oliver at volunteer.coordinator@clevelandbandspdx.com for information about specific openings. You won’t regret it.

Thank you for your support.

Do you like to bake? Are you a photographer? Have experience with book-keeping? Know something about grant writing? From fundraising to transportation to event setup and cleanup, volunteers are critical to the success of the Cleveland High School Band Program. There are many big and small ways you can help. Please take a moment to fill out our online Volunteer Inquiry.

Our calendar is going to be in flux all year, please check the calendar often. The best way to keep up to date is by subscribing to the band calendar that can be done from the band homepage or the calendar page.

From the homepage, the “Upcoming Events” is located on the right column. The Add button is at the bottom of the section.

From the calendar page, the Subscribe button is at the bottom right corner of the calendar.

Welcome to the 2021–22 school year! Friends of Cleveland Bands (FOCB) is a parent-led, non-profit organization providing support for the CHS band program through volunteer service and financial assistance. To achieve this goal, we work closely with Band Director Gary Riler and many dedicated volunteers throughout the year.

Our school year got off to a great start in August with the successful return of our annual car wash, where new and returning students, and parent volunteers were able to safely socialize and raise funds for our program. There are many other ways you can participate—help out at a specific event like the annual Play-a-Thon, or join the FOCB Board and help fundraise and plan upcoming events. More opportunities will become available, as we navigate a safe and practical way for any and all parents and supporters of our student musicians to participate.

100% of the Cleveland High School Band program’s budget comes from fundraising. The CHS Bands receive zero funds from the PPS District. FOCB provides funds for sheet music, instrument purchase and maintenance, extra musical coaching and clinician support, event entry fees, transportation costs, and student scholarships. FOCB funds help ensure that all students can participate in band regardless of financial status, and support a high quality musical experience for all.

Visit our page at https://www.clevelandbandspdx.com/friends-of-chs-band/ to learn more about our organization and how you can participate. Watch for more information soon about our exciting and largest fundraiser of the year: the Play-a-Thon on October 15th!

Karen Stark
FOCB Vice President

We are still working on a plan for pep band at football games. A survey was sent out Friday afternoon to the students so Mr. Riler can get a better idea of availability.

Please remember that school instruments (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Trombone) are intended for families that cannot afford to rent or purchase these instruments.

In several cases, there are students using some of these instruments as secondary instruments for jazz band or pep band. This is okay. This rule is for students that are using these instruments as a primary instrument in band.

The supplies are currently low, because some band programs have been added to the district. Unfortunately, new programs did not necessarily equate to the purchase of more instruments.

If your child is currently using a school instrument that is listed above and you can afford to rent or purchase, it would help us free up these instruments for those in need if you would rent or purchase one.

If your child has been assigned a school instrument, you will need to complete this digital contract for the 2021-22 school year.

Due to the odd nature of the schedule, please do not bring instruments on Wednesday, September 1st. Start bringing them Thursday and Friday of that week.

Due to the football team playing a JV schedule this year, we will see what we can accomplish for at least one of the games. Mr. Riler will survey the band about availability for two Thursday afternoon home games.

The games are from 4:30 pm–7:00 pm, which means that pep band would meet right after school to prepare for the game. Mr. Riler will keep everyone posted so calendars can be updated ASAP.