Supporting the music programs in the Pequea Valley (PV) School District is the goal of the parent-run Pequea Valley Music Boosters. The group assists with covering costs for student trips to competitions and other expenses and supports and provides volunteers at fundraising events - all with the goal of enhancing the music educational experience for all students in the district.

Most recently, the boosters provided carpeting in the music room at Pequea Valley Secondary School, which is where PV music teacher Jim Ackerman leads the PV Rock Band program. In a thank you letter to the boosters, Ackerman stated, "The carpets you bought for our room have helped give the space some much-needed sound treatment, as well as provide a warm and welcoming feel."

"I am essentially running a School of Rock at Pequea Valley," noted Ackerman. "(The room) has a drum set and a stage built for the drummer and amplifiers and keyboards. I (realized) that I needed some sound dampening in there. I asked (the boosters) to help me, and they did."

Ackerman said the students in the program focus on instruments like guitars and drums. "We explore pop music. We have lighting and effects like smoke machines," he noted. "(The students) are quite good. They play multiple instruments, and they all sing."

To view the students' performances, visit http://www.youtube.com and search for "PV rock bands."

Tammy Groff, secretary of the boosters, explained that the organization provides additional funding for different expenses as requested by the staff.

"We have a meeting once a month on the first Monday of the month. Mr. (Nathan) Bankert and Mr. (Rob) Corrao give their reports for band and chorus, and they make requests for funding," she explained. "For instance, when kids get into festivals ... there are travel expenses. We always offset festival fees when the band or chorus gets into county and district (competition). They can be quite expensive; the boosters will cover part of the entrance fee."

The boosters raise funds by operating a Fry Shack at all home football games where they sell homemade fresh-cut french fries, chicken fries and milkshakes. "All the profits go into our account," Groff said. "And then as extra expanses come up, they ask us to pay for things."

The Fry Shack first operated out of a trailer until its current building was installed. "A former music booster built the Fry Shack - Dale Hoover. He also builds the sets of our musicals," noted Groff. "The trailer became so run down, we decided to come up with a permanent solution."

The Fry Shack is operated by members of the boosters and other parent volunteers. "We go through three or four bags of potatoes during the football games," Groff noted.

The boosters also support the district's various musical ensembles, including the marching band, and the spring musical. "We run concessions during the musical, but that goes to the cost of the musical," she noted.

Those interested in joining the Boosters may attend a meeting of the group held on the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Pequea Valley Secondary School, 164 S. New Holland Road, Kinzers. To learn more, join the "Pequea Valley Music Boosters" Facebook group.