ANSWERS to FAQ
How do I find out what is going on??? there is just so much and my kid tells me NOTHING... we have lots of ways for you to figure out everything, get everywhere and stay sane all at the same time, for starters....click here...THERE IS HELP !!! Also, pay particular attention to the CALENDAR pages and the ANNOUNCEMENTS pages (available by clicking the corresponding buttons on any of the web pages)
What is the SUMMER UNIFORM and why do we need one? Since it is quite hot when we begin the marching season, the band wears shorts and a polo shirt for a few weeks, roughly til the end of Septemeber. The polo shirt is often worn for Pep Rallies and parades throughout the year. Parents are offered the chance to buy one for themselves on the forms in the Summer Packet. Click here for a list of parts and how to obtain them....
What is the FULL MARCHING BAND UNIFORM ? click here...
there is a different uniform for GUARD...Winter Guard, Jazz Band and indoor Drumline uniforms are handled independently.
What does the band wear for Band Concerts and Concert Contests? Usually, the band wears black dresses for girls and black tuxes for boys. Click here for the list of parts/pieces and cleaning instructions. At selected events, the band will wear 'nice clothes'...
I've got mud on my uniform...how do I clean it? click here to go to cleaning instructions for Marching Band and Concert Wear uniforms that are issued to students. Guard Uniforms .....
How can I see photos of the band's activities? Lots of parents will take photos and share them. Click the PHOTO button on the left side of the page. You may have to navigate using the Home/Index Button at the top - the PHOTO Button is near the bottom of the page.. We also have a yearly DVD that is produced and sold each year ( on the Summer Packet SPirit Items forms with t-shirts etc...) and distributed at the end of the school year. It contains the Marching Band Show, the concert music and as many slides and videos as we can fit on the DVD set. There are also links to other sources of photos at the bottom of the PHOTO pages.
Can my student possibly keep up with all of this? click here...REALLY, the students manage it better than we do...!!!
How do I arrange a carpool or ride? ATTEND the PARENT MEETING July 31st at 7 in the AHS Theater. MEET other PARENTS and gather contact info! MEET your student’s section leader and gather contact info. Percussion – it helps to have percussion carpools. Look at your AHS/MMS Directory from last year and 2 years ago for other band kids in your neighborhood. Consider providing some gas money if your kid gets driven and you don’t share in the driving. ABBA also produces a DIRECTORY that is helpful. Talk to the Membership Chair to get a copy.
What about Private Lessons? Anderson has a list of private instructors provided for you. They are listed by instrument. All payments are made directly to teachers. Some instructors teach in a private studio, others come to our school. Click here to be directed to the Private Lesson Staff List. You may also click the Band Staff Button and you will be taken to a page with e-mail links to the AHS Band Staff and Private Lesson Staff listings. Anderson Band Staff strongly encourages lessons for individual progress and skill advancement.
Where do I find forms? Click here to go to the main page where all forms are listed - most are printable for your use. Others will need to be sent to you via e-mail by our Treasurer.
How is this website Organized? there are 2 main types of pages. One wih a left side navigation menu and right side reminders of upcoming events and one with only the top navigation bar buttons. On ANY page, you can navigate using the buttons for CONTACTING BAND STAFF, PARENT HELPLINE, CALENDAR, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HOME/INDEX. Those are probably the most frequently used Navigation Buttons. The Home/Index page is where you find the complete Navigation Menu Buttons to reach Photos, Awards, ABBA Information, Uniform INformation and other links you minight need. Many of the pages also have page to page links that usually say 'click here...', and those will take you directly to a particular page. Most of the time, ifyou need to contact someone, there is either a direct e-mail link, or a link to a page that will provide you with contact information.
Why do we have fundraisers? What is Fair Share? While the district and state DO allot funds for the Fine Arts programs at Anderson, there is not nearly enough to cover all expenses that are necessary to build and maintain a superior 5A program. Fair Share and Fundraisers help by covering much of our transportation costs, music costs, marching drill costs, Master's Classes and Clinics, as well as uniform maintenance. Every contest has an entrance fee. ABBA dues help to cover the cost of Student Band parties and the Band Banquet. We also rely on parent generosity to be able to provide snacks and water and some party food, as well as replacement socks (etc) and shoe polish for students. Other Fundraisers try to help the students defray the cost of yearly Band Trips. However, please note that it is the policy of our Band Program to never deny participation if finances are an issue. Please speak to Mr Zysk or the ABBA President if payment is ever a problem! Anderson's Band Staff works diligently to keep this cost low, while providing a very fine musical experience (with quite a bit of variety) for our students - it's a valuable skill and a fun hobby that CAN last a lifetime!
The forms
need something called an Acrobat Reader. Where do I
get one and why do I need it? Whenever possible, web pages
on this site are in plain HTML (web browser) format for computability
with as many computer systems as possible. Forms generally
have special formating that may not be displayed properly or print
correctly on your printer. The Acrobat Reader uses something
called Portable Document Format (PDF) that renders the form's formatting
exactly like it appears on the author's screen and printer. Your
printed form will look just like everyone else's. The Adobe
Acrobat Reader is commonly pre-installed on most consumer computers
in the past several years. This reader is also downloadable
and free. If you have a problem downloading and installing
this reader, please contact the WebMaster . The Acrobat Reader
may be downloaded by clicking on this button: 
I have a photograph I would like to share on the web site. (you may also wish to share them by lettting us put them on the Band Annual DVD !!!) How do I submit it? We always welcome good photographs of the Band activities. Please contact Cathy or Bob Purdy for instructions.
I don't want my student's photo and/or name on the web site. How can I keep it off? We encourage parents to carefully consider the limitations in recognition of our outstanding band students before making such a request. While it may be extremely difficult to completely eliminate your student's image on the web site, especially in group photos, we do understand the desire for privacy. To help ensure privacy, we do not publish last names in the captions or descriptions of photos on the web site. We also don't put phone numbers on the web site. To "opt-out" and request your student's photograph or name not be displayed, see the web site privacy policy for instructions.
Lastly, if your question is not answered here...don't hesitate to contact an ABBA OFFICER or the WEBMASTER or one of the BAND DIRECTORS