Parents/Volunteers (EVBA)
The Eastern Viking Band Aides (the EVBA) is parent/family/alumni group that supports the Eastern Viking Outdoor Marching Band and Indoor Drumline and Color Guard Programs. The mission of the EVBA is to provide support and resources to all areas of the Eastern Marching Vikings Program throughout the year - in the form of fundraising, volunteer services and organizational coordination - in order to provide students with the best possible educational and performance experiences in music.
The EVBA is a registered 501 (c)(3) organization.
Parent/family/alumni support is essential to the success of the entire band program.
The best way to support your child's interest/investment is by being informed and engaged.
Please Stay Informed
Read emails from Staff & EVBA:
Download & Join the Band App:
Students should also download the Band App to their school iPad. If they have trouble doing so, they should contact technology help at Eastern. There are different Eastern Marching Viking groups on the Band App for specific communication, including: Outdoor Marching Band, Color Guard, Indoor Drumline, Indoor Color Guard.
Mr. Stanz and the other directors will use the Band App to communicate everything: weekly schedules, practice videos, event reminders, drop-off times, and estimated return times from football games and competitions (very helpful for parents picking up from Eastern after an event!).
The EVBA uses the Band App to communicate with both parents and students about EVBA events, volunteer needs, senior events and awards and more.
Make sure you keep your Band App notifications on year-round so you have all of the necessary information.
Come to EVBA Information Meetings:
The EVBA meets at Eastern Regional High School unless otherwise announced by the Board of Directors. Meetings are scheduled to coincide with Marching Band rehearsals and we do our best to keep meetings under an hour, and discuss a focused agenda of important items.
Follow EVBA on Social Media:
Please Come cheer at games and competitions
Please come and enjoy as many of the performances and competitions as you can. Having you in the standing cheering is an important and much appreciated way that you can show your support for your Eastern Marching Vikings! Reminders of upcoming football game performances and marching band competitions will be shared via the BAND App, emails and on social media. So, this is another reason why you should make sure that you are connected to those communication channels!
Here is some additional information about football game performances and marching band competitions:
At home football games (usually on Friday nights), the band performs their annual show at half time. During the games (home and away) the band plays music in the stands to keep the crowd going. Parents/families are welcome to attend all home and away football games. Schedules for the games will be posted in the BAND App.
At competitions (usually on Saturdays), buses always transport the kids, so parents either carpool for long distance competitions or drive themselves for the more local events. The competitions are what these kids are working hard for, so they want parental/family support at these events! Schedules for the games will be posted in the BAND App.
A word of advice - bring cash, dress warmly and bring something to sit on. All football games and all competition venues charge admission - anywhere from $5 to $15 per person. Concessions and admissions are cash only, as are some souvenir vendors. Aluminum benches are hard and COLD, especially in October. Plan accordingly.
At competitions you will see things like air grams and candy grams sold. Air grams are typically about $1 and are simply messages that you've written to your student that the event announcer reads over the loud speaker as the band marches onto the field. Usually you will hear things like “have a great competition John” or just silly inside jokes. You write the message, so feel free to get creative! Candy grams are just that—candy that you can buy, write a message that is then attached to the candy, and is delivered to your child after they compete. They are typically about $2.
Please feel free to take LOTS of pictures of the students in the stands and on the field. Pictures can be sent to info@evba-boosters.com to be posted on our website, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.
While you may take videos of performances, the directors ask that you do not share those videos publicly or on social media. The spirit of competition is undermined when schools see other schools' performances during the season.
If you have questions about taking or sharing photos or videos, please contact us at info@evba-boosters.com
Please Volunteer with the EVBA
(a little bit of your time/talents makes a big difference!)
The EVBA is made up of parents/guardians and families of students currently participating in the Outdoor and Indoor Marching Viking Programsas well as alumni and alumni parents. The Marching Viking students and directors rely heavily on parent volunteers to make the band program successful - there are no mandatory volunteering requirements, but everyone has an opportunity to help.
There are many ways to volunteer - some take little time and effort while others require a bit more time (like helping at a specific competition or special event). You will ALWAYS have other folks to help you and instruct you - especially if this is your first time helping out! Your time and effort is MUCH APPRECIATED! The students and directors CANNOT do it all alone.
🎶There is a wide variety of ways you can volunteer for a performance/competition day: move pit/percussion equipment, set up the props, help with uniforms, serve meals, drive equipment trucks, and more. No training is required, you will be given instructions before any event and upon your arrival!
🎵There are also ways to help with special events (like the Home Shows) by working the concessions stand, ticket booth, bake sale tables - and helping with fundraisers (like our Dine Outs, Car Wash & Designer Bag Bingo), by attending the events, helping get donations, etc.
🎼Hospitality is also a big part of how we support the Marching Vikings students and staff. Friday night dinners during Football season need help with set up, serving and clean up. Specific food and beverage donations are also requested, and are another important way for you to help.
Volunteer opportunities are shared via email and posted on the BAND App - so it is very important to make sure that the EVBA Board has your contact information AND that you add the BAND App to your phone or tablet. Updates to volunteer needs are also communicated via email and the Band App.
The 2022/23 EVBA Board of Directors
President - Christy Appello
Vice President - Dori Straub
Treasurer - Janine Curtis
Secretary (Outdoor Season) - Tricia Entrekin
Secretary (Indoor Season) - Nabila Bakry
Vice President of Hospitality - Peachie Moore
The EVBA is led by a Board of Directors who oversee the budget, fundraising events, volunteer opportunities and other fiscal and program responsibilities as defined by the EVBA Bylaws
If you have questions or need more information, please reach out to the EVBA Board at:
By mail: PO Box 265, Voorhees, NJ 08043