About
ABOB
Our History
For generations, the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders (ABOB) has proudly supported instrumental music students throughout the Alton School District.
ABOB's roots date back to the years following World War II, when the Alton Band Builders was formed to help purchase new uniforms for the Alton High School band. As the music program grew, the organization expanded its mission and became the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders, supporting band and orchestra students throughout the district.
Over the years, ABOB has helped provide instruments, uniforms, repairs, scholarships, competition and travel expenses, music, and countless other resources and opportunities for Alton students. Fundraising traditions such as the Olde Alton Arts & Craft Fair have also brought families, alumni, and community members together in support of music education.
Today, ABOB continues that tradition through fundraising, volunteering, scholarships, and support for Alton's instrumental music programs. While the organization has changed and grown through the years, its purpose remains the same: supporting our students, our directors, and the future of music in Alton.
We are proud of our history and look forward to continuing it for generations to come.
I believe the following should be in school district records as well as the records of the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders.
The Alton Band Builders (ABB) was organized after World War II under the leadership of interested parents and Guy Duker, high school band director. The primariy duty of the ABB was to uniform the high school band with new, up-to-date uniforms. This was accomplished by 1948, so its activities became less and less – until by 1953 the group was no longer meeting on a regular basis.
When I was appointed Director of Music in 1953 Dr. Robert Lynn, surgeon and President of the Board of Education, encouraged me to re-activate the ABB. I contacted interested former officers, and we did this under the name of the Alton Band Builders.
It took several years of encouraging officers, parents and band teachers, and by about 1957 the group officially changed its name to the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders.
I served as Financial Secretary for AB&OB from 1953 to 1967 when I was moved to the Personnel position for the District. Kenneth Conrady was appointed Director of Music in 1953 and served many years as Financial Secretary. He is still a vital force for the music program with the establishment of the Alton Youth Siymphony.
Thanks to the strong interest of parents and teachers, this group has become a major factor in support of the total instrumental music program of the Alton School District.
It is interesting to note that in later years when curtailments were made in programs of the School District the instrumental music program was allowed to continue and to expand ! !
ABOB continues to be a strong force in the community.
Leroy Fritz
(June 15, 2001)
The ABOB Constitution
Article I — Name, Purpose, and Membership Eligibility
Section 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders.
Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of the organization shall be the promotion, encouragement, and sustenance of music in the Alton public schools.
Section 3. Membership Eligibility
All school patrons and citizens residing within the boundaries of the Alton Community Unit School District No. 11, alumni, and other parties that are interested in the purpose of this organization shall be entitled to membership.
Article II — Officers
Section 1. Offices and Terms
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The offices of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall assume their offices June 1.
Section 2. President
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The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization, appoint chairpersons to all standing committees and shall be, ex officio, a member of all standing committees.
Section 3. Vice President
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The Vice President shall assume all Presidential duties in the absence of the President and shall be the liaison between the organization and the elementary and middle school parents and any recognized alumni association.
Section 4. Secretary
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The Secretary shall keep all records and minutes of all meetings in permanent form and conduct all correspondences.
Section 5. Treasurer and Co-Treasurer
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The Treasurer and Co-Treasurer shall keep a record of all funds received and disbursed and shall write all checks.
Section 6. Financial Secretary
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The Financial Secretary shall countersign all checks and approve all bills for payment, and shall be appointed by consensus of the elected officers.
Article III — Board of Directors, Executive and Standing Committees
Section 1. Composition of the Board of Directors
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The Board of Directors shall be composed of the elected officers, the Financial Secretary, the district’s instrumental music coordinator, the district’s instrumental music teachers, the district’s music administrator, and the chairpersons of all standing committees as selected by the President of the organization.
Section 2. Composition of the Executive Committee
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The Executive Committee shall be composed of all officers of the organization, the school district’s instrumental music coordinator, and the AHS head band and orchestra directors.
Section 3. Duties of Executive Committee
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The Executive Committee shall have the duty of general supervision of the affairs of the organization.
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The Executive Committee shall carry on the business of the organization between monthly board meetings.
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The Executive Committee shall be responsible for preparing the annual budget to be presented for board approval by the May board meeting.
Section 4. Standing Committees
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Ways and Means: Shall be responsible for organizing and conducting all fundraising efforts outside of the Craft Fair, Dinner Auction, Trivia Night and Spring Vendor Fair, which are conducted by their specific committees.
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Craft Fair: Shall be responsible for organizing and conducting the organization’s annual Olde Alton Arts & Craft Fair.
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Dinner Auction: Shall be responsible for organizing and conducting the organization’s annual dinner auction fundraiser.
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Trivia Night: Shall be responsible for organizing and conducting the organization’s annual Trivia Night.
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Spring Vendor Fair: Shall be responsible for organizing and conducting the organization’s annual Spring Vendor Fair.
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Communications: Shall be responsible for all regular communications and upkeep of the distribution list, alumni and donor records, and publicity of events of the organization.
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Technology: Shall oversee the maintenance and content of the ABOB.net website, social media platforms and all matters of technology for the organization.
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Hospitality: Shall be responsible for all matters of hospitality within the organization.
Article IV — Meetings and Properties
Section 1. Board Meetings
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The scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on the fourth Monday of each month throughout the year except for December.
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Special board meetings may be called by the President with at least 48 hours’ notice to board members.
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The President may call for electronic voting when the Board of Directors are unable to convene for special board meetings.
Section 2. Quorum
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A quorum shall consist of one-third (1/3) of board members present, based on the official number of board of director members on record with the Secretary.
Section 3. Order
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Where not otherwise set forth in the organization’s constitution and by-laws, Robert’s Rules of Order, Simplified and Applied edition shall dictate parliamentary procedure in called meetings where a quorum is present.
Section 4. Properties
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All equipment and materials purchased or otherwise acquired by the organization shall become the property of the Alton Community Unit School District No. 11.