PARENTS' LETTERS
From other parents (Click on a name to see their letter)
Kim Fosse
My son plays Alto Saxophone in the Kennesaw Mountain Bands Program and next
year will be our family’s third year in Marching Band.
When my son came home at the end of his 8th grade year and
announced that he was “going to give marching band a try,” I didn’t think
twice about it until I was speaking about my son’s decision to another 8th
grade parent. She said she heard from a parent who heard from somebody
who heard from somebody’s friend that “those band people are fanatical.”
I thought “Hmmm…” Later that week I attended the 8th grade
orientation meeting for new parents and heard the veteran band parents speak
about all the time they spent with the band and I was convinced that these
people were “a bit mad.” Nonetheless, our family decided to give
marching band a try “for the sake of our son.”
Summer went by and it was time for band camp. We ran around gathering water
bottles, healthy snack foods and white T-shirts. Eventually, my son
survived while learning that marching band was a whole, new world of
discipline and hard work that he had not envisioned. I stood back a
bit from “those band parents” and thought “where do these people get
their energy?”
I attended my first football game, sat with the other parents as instructed
and was definitely impressed with the show (although I did not really know
what was going on). In a few weeks, it was time to go to my first
Bands of America Competition in Johnson City, Tennessee. Again, I
showed up not really understanding what was going to happen… We were good –
very good in fact – and to see my child becoming a part of something so much
bigger than himself was, and is, one of the most rewarding experiences I
have felt as a parent.
In that instant, I became “one of them,” “one of those band parents” who
somehow finds the energy to attend practices, help with uniforms, work
fundraisers and enjoy every last minute of this wonderful ride that is
“Marching Band.” Yes, we work hard. Yes, your kids will
work hard. On the other hand, I firmly believe that the effort is well
worth it. I hope you and your band student will give it a try.
You might just be amazed at what both of you get out of it!
Kimberly Fosse
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