Stephen Monath acknowledges that running a school district band program can be costly, but said the Tipp City Exempted Village Schools is fortunate to have support from the band boosters and others including local foundations.

“The performing arts are expensive,” said Monath, district band director. “Support from organizations like the Tipp City Foundation allows us to broaden our horizon and continue to provide a better experience for our students, which translates to a better experience for our audience also. Having high quality, reliable equipment allows for the students to have an increased sense of pride and self-esteem while performing.”

As examples of costs, he said a marching band show can cost $10,000, while one marching band uniform, head to toe, is $580.

Among the most impactful grants received recently (2022) from the foundation was $3,000 to support purchase of a new band trailer, Monath said.

“The old trailer was around 20 years old and was becoming more of a liability than an asset. The trailer, along with a box truck, is used to transport instruments and props to and from games, competitions, parades, concerts, and other events. The previous trailer even made trips to New York, Chicago, and Orlando,” he said.

Among other grants received from the Tipp City Foundation have been:

• $699 in 2023, to update the high school band room with a harmony director. This is a keyboard that helps make teaching more effective;

• $3,450 and $2,782 grants in 2022 were used to purchase a new xylophone and vibraphone for the high school band program;

• $1,334 in 2022 to purchase new concert band performance folders;

• $4,486 in 2021 to buy a marimba for the high school Indoor Percussion Ensemble;

• $400, in 2021, bought a tarp to protect the gym floor for the Percussion Ensemble in grades seven-12.

The support of parents, the community and foundations is important to the music programs and the students who devote their time to participate, Monath said. Those music programs teach students far more than skills and an appreciation for music, he said.

“At some point, yes, I have to care that they play the right notes and march on the right foot. But at the end of the day, I care more about who they are five to 10 years after they graduate,” he said.

“I care much more, especially now that I have kids of my own, that my students go on to be outstanding productive members of society. Yes, they had to learn the right notes to play...but more importantly, hopefully they learn what notes to live by. “