Welcome to another exciting year with the Northwood High School band program! Whether you are a returning student, a parent, or you are new to the Northwood Instrumental Music Program, get prepared for an exciting and exhilarating experience. The band season kicks off in August with band camp for the Marching Charger Band and continues until the Memorial Day Concert in May with the Concert Band performance. Between the months of August and May the band program participates in many activities, competitions, concerts, and other musical performances which are made possible by the continuous efforts of the parents who are actively involved in the band boosters’ organization.

The Northwood Band Boosters organization works as the back bone that supports all of the instrumental music programs at Northwood High School. The Band Boosters Organization is a fairly large organization that is comprised of students, parents, alumni, and other supporting members within the community. The Northwood Band Boosters is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The organizational information and policies of the the Northwood Band Boosters are detailed throughout the Band Boosters Handbook on the Charms website (see below).

Charms
We are using the Charms Office Assistant for marching band. For information on how to log in, please contact Mr. Freeman, the band director. Each student’s family has one account to share, and allows them to keep track of FairShare balances and fundraising, make FairShare payments via PayPal, and find important information about marching band. Required information is student address and at least one parent/guardian name with phone and email. You can add as many parents/guardians, but remember that everyone must share the same password for that account.

Since we are going to be entering thrift shop hours into Charms, we’ve been asked to remind you of an important item: when you sign the form for thrift shop hours, you need to write the name of the student who should get the credit for your work EVEN IF YOU ARE WORKING FOR YOURSELF. Write the name and “NHS Band” each time and for each person working. If you do not specify, we are unable to credit those hours.

2018 Band Booster Handbook (updated 8/2018) and other information are available on the Charms website under “Handouts & Files”.

FairShare
All members of the marching band are required to pay FairShare to participate, although the Band Boosters organization is able to help families who cannot afford it. FairShare funds the band program including uniforms, large instruments, music composition and choreography for the marching show, and buses to competitions. Students and families are able to earn money toward FairShare through fundraisers, working UNC Concessions, and working at the Chatham PTA Thrift Shops.

New Parent Information:

• Upcoming Booster Meeting Dates:
  • Tuesday, August 21st @ 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, September 18th @ 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday, October 16th @ 7:00 PM
• Other Important Dates on Calendar (Here and on Charms)