In a perfect world, school programs would have all the money they needed from the school board, and all would be well. However, in our world, funding is hard to come by, especially with so many worthy programs fighting for the same money. The school system funds only a small fraction of the expenses of operating a music program on the scale of the J.P. Taravella High School program. Each member of the band is responsible for a $300.00 fair share donation, plus any large-scale trip costs; while the Orchestra members are responsible for a $200 fair share, plus any trip costs. Failure to pay fair shares may result in obligations at report card time.

    There are two basic costs associated with the JPT Music Department: One is operating costs to run the ensembles. Equipment, repair, clinicians, uniforms and cleaning, music, transportation, entry fee, all fall under the operating cost. The second cost category is trips. The Taravella Music Department tries to take a trip every year to every other year in order to expose the students to different locales, different lifestyles, and different cultures, as well as represent Taravella across the country and the world. In the past, destinations have included such places as Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland for a concert tour. Continental trips have included such places as Williamsburg, Gatlinburg and Indianapolis. The cost of these trips is up to the student, although each student is provided with an opportunity to raise the money through fundraisers.

    Sponsoring a member of the band is easy. Choose the student that you would like to sponsor and simply mail a check payable to JPT Band/Orchestra Patrons or donate through Paypal. Be sure to include the student's name that you are sponsoring so that the money will go directly to that student's account.  Your name will be added to the web page as a sponsor of the arts and the future of our children, or you may choose to donate anonymously.

    Money can also be donated toward the purchase of new instruments. It is a fact of life that instruments break, get old, or fall into disrepair. Help keep the Taravella Music Department in tip-top shape by sponsoring or donating money toward the purchase of instruments. If you would like to sponsor the purchase of a new instrument, simply make sure you write "Instrument Fund" on the check/Paypal text box. Check out our "Wish List".

    We are also always looking for office supplies, audio equipment and just about anything you have to donate has a possible use. Please contact us about helping us out and becoming a sponsor of the award-winning and internationally-known J.P. Taravella High School Music Department. If you would like to donate to us online and/or anonymously, or help the Band & Orchestra fundraise, you can do so by clicking on the links below: