Blanchard Band Parents Organization

What is the BBPO?

The Blanchard Band Parents Organization (BBPO) is a non-profit organization formed in 1988 to support the activities of the Blanchard band students.

The mission of the BBPO is to raise funds to support Blanchard Memorial School’s band program. It administers the Garabedian Scholarship which ensures instrumental music is enjoyed by any fourth, fifth or sixth grader who otherwise might be financially unable to participate in instrumental music at Blanchard Memorial School. It also encourages communication between home, school, band director and community so that all may cooperate for the best interests of the band program, as well as coordinate parent volunteer opportunities within the band.

Below is a bit more detail of the main activities of this organization:

• Initiating fund-raising events – to fund the activities for the band program. Fundraising is done through our annual Scholastic Book Fair and ongoing donations.

• Sponsoring the Garabedian Scholarship Fund – Charles Garabedian was a beloved band director and music teacher at Blanchard who passed away in 1993. The Charles Garabedian Scholarship Fund was established in 1994 by the BBPO to provide scholarships to fund the cost of private music lessons for Blanchard students who could otherwise not have afforded it. The BBPO sincerely appreciates the ongoing support from our community for this important program.

• Purchasing instruments and equipment – The BBPO currently owns many instruments and other equipment. The organization pays for repairs on these instruments and makes new purchases at the request of the director and approval of the board. All items are currently in use by our band students.

• Organizing occasional field trips – to hear other bands, participate in music festivals, and perform for the community.

• Sponsoring special events for the band – such as pizza or ice cream parties for recognition of student’s work.

• Supporting activities of the band – Coordinating parent volunteers with rehearsal help, organizing concerts, fundraising, maintaining our music library and communication.