Goochland Middle School Band Boosters Fundraiser Set for Rare Olde Times

Goochland Middle School's Band Boosters held a Spirit Day fundraiser at Rare Olde Times Public House on March 15, with the pub donating 10% of each participating customer's bill to the program when supporters brought a flyer or wrote the word "band" on the bottom of their receipt.

The fundraiser continued a partnership between the boosters and Rare Olde Times that dates back at least to a previous Spirit Day held February 2, 2025, when the pub ran the same 10 am to 8 pm promotion under identical terms. That earlier event's flyer noted the pub's roots in music advocacy: "Founded by a Dublin musician, Rare Olde Times has a long history in supporting local musicians, and we're excited to fundraise for the Goochland Band Boosters!"

The Goochland Band Boosters operate an active fundraising calendar that has included a Chick-fil-A fundraiser, rental nights, and multiple rounds of all-district auditions alongside regular meetings held in the Goochland High School Band Room. Supporters who want to contact the organization directly can reach the boosters at GoochlandBandBoosters@gmail.com or by mail at PO Box 603, Goochland, VA 23063. For reservations at Rare Olde Times, the number listed on the boosters' materials is 804-750-1346.

The fundraiser comes as Goochland's band program continues to build on a record of strong competitive performance. At the District 3 VBODA State Concert Band Assessment hosted by Goochland County Public Schools in March 2023, both the Goochland Middle School concert band and the Goochland High School concert band earned straight Superior Ratings, the highest scores available at the event. R. Paul Rozecki, Jr., Director of Bands and Fine Arts/Performing Arts Department Chair at Atlee High School, adjudicated the event and did not hold back in his assessment: "I am fortunate that I have been asked to adjudicate at assessments around Virginia, and this is the best-run event I have attended. Band in Goochland is alive and well, and I just wanted to say how evident that was this weekend. It also shows that the arts are valued in Goochland Public Schools, and this is so wonderful to see and witness firsthand."

That 2023 event drew more than 1,100 students and over 300 family members, and running it required the full weight of the booster organization. Sykes, who coordinated logistics, described the scope of volunteer effort: "We had families donate food, drinks, candy, time away from home, and energy. There were students and parents that guided bands, set the stage 21 times, monitored rooms and halls, moved bands from room to room, chased buses that came into the wrong entrance of the parking lot, and quickly and safely got them into school prior to the bell ringing on Friday."

The boosters' calendar also includes preparations for the Goochland Day Parade, where students are instructed to wear black shorts and their show shirts. The band is set to perform stand tunes during the parade before walking back to Goochland High School. Upcoming organizational business includes a board member election and a budget meeting for the 2025-2026 school year, both on the boosters' meeting agenda.