The CHS Instrumental Music Boosters (sponsored by the Claremont Parent Faculty Association) support the Marching Band, Concert Band, String Orchestra, Symphony Strings, Symphony Orchestra, Color Guard and Winter Guard at Claremont High School in Claremont, CA.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
“Pit Crew”: This group takes its name from the location of the orchestra, usually below the stage, out of sight as in the pit. In our case, it consists of loading the trailer with drums, bells, chimes, etc. and deploying these instruments on the front part of the field moments before the performance. The Pit Crew also does the same thing at home football games. An added feature, the pit crew is able to watch the performance up close and personal on the field!
Chaperones: People are needed to ride the buses and to sit with the kids after they have performed at the competitions. This keeps you young at heart! All volunteers who will be working with the students MUST submit a volunteer application and be cleared through the district.
Construction: This can mean anything from building cabinets in the uniform room to building props needed in the field show, or repairing instrument stands. Anyone handy in design, carpentry, welding, or general construction are needed. See any Board Member for this task.
Drivers: We need drivers to pull the trailer which contain the uniform , large instruments, props, and anything else needed for competitions. We can always use people with a trailer hitch capable of pulling a 14 ft. trailer or willing to drive the truck.
Food Preparation: If you are accustomed to serving large crowds quickly, and even if you are not, we need you! Usually we give the students a small meal, during our Friday night football home games after the half time show.
Fundraising People: This is a tough one because it means all of us! If you work for a major company, that company may have a matching gift program that recognizes schools or any Non- Profit charitable organization. The IM Booster is registered with the State of California as such. Therefore, it can be the recipient of a matching employer gift or donation. If you have a knack for calling on businesses for donations, please talk with the Vice President for details on how you can help!
Uniforms: We need people to prepare the uniforms at the beginning of the season during Band Camp by measuring and sewing/hemming the uniforms. Also, any time the RWMA is performing in uniform, we need people to distribute the uniforms. We always need people at “call time” before home football games and field show competitions.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact us!
Volunteer FAQs
Thinking about volunteering with us?
There are so many opportunities for you to help out. If you’ve never volunteered and didn’t know quite what was expected, here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: Do I have to be a volunteer to attend a band event?
A: No, parents are invited and encouraged to attend football games, concerts and performances throughout the year. If the event is out of town and you want to meet the band there, refer to the website news for location and time info.
Q: Do I have to have a background check to volunteer?
A: You do not need a background check for most home events unless you are requested to chaperone or watch over students. If you have requested to chaperone the students on the bus to and/or from events and performances, you need to register as a volunteer with the school. This does involve a fingerprinting and background check. Parents are requested to pay the fees for the background check.
Q: I think my child would rather not have me around them at school.
A: Remember that when you volunteer, you are not there to hang out with your child. During events and performances, you most likely won’t have time to see your child. Give them the freedom to join you or stay with their friends and ignore you. Once they realize you can be there and not intrude, they will trust you to be in the background.
Q: Are there costs involved?
A: Although we do not charge parents to volunteer, each event varies and parents are asked to pay for their own expenses such as meals on the trip and in some cases, tickets for admission (depending on how many tickets they give us).
Q: What’s in it for me?
A: Oh the joy! The priceless moments you will have seeing your child perform. The chance to see such an amazing group of students working as a team both in getting ready, performing and standing together in both days of victory and days where they walk away with less than expected.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact us!