A message for directors, parents, and boosters

Cheese and sausage. Chocolate bars. Car washes. What do the items on this list have in common? They’re how many band programs — indeed, most music programs — raise additional money. At Concord High School, the Marching Minutemen sell cheese and sausage every year to earn extra money for the music program. There’s always a need: a new van or truck, props, costumes, uniforms, or a trip.

Cheese and sausage is great. So are chocolate bars. But for something different, why not make money for your music program by selling copies of American Band, the first book to tell the marching-band story from the inside?

Consider the options below and pick one that suits your program:

1. If you’re associated with a school, you can place a bulk order for copies of American Band at an educational discount. Contact the educational sales representative at Gotham Books for more information.
2. If you’re planning to resell books at a fundraiser, church event, or other event, or if you want to use the book as a premium or incentive, you’ll want to place a Special Markets order.
3. Invite author Kristen Laine to an event — a competition, an ice-cream social, a concert — or to read from American Band. Read “Why I’m giving money to music programs” to learn why Kristen donated $15,000 to school-music supporters during the first release of American Band. Contact Kristen Laine for more information.

Win a prize for telling us your band story!

Whether you were in marching band half a century ago (and if you are reading this, bravo for learning how to use the Internet!) or you only started last week, we want to hear your story! Tell us about a director or student who made a difference in your life. Tell us a funny, or sad, or moving (or horrible) story about your experience in band. Tell us what being in marching band has meant to you.

When the pile of submissions gets too high, digitally speaking, we collect the entries. The story they select is our prize-winner. The story gets published on the American Band website. Plus, the winner gets to chose either a signed copy of Amercan Band or an American Band T-shirt.