[jdhawg]

Something else to consider in all of this..... Does the Band get letters? I ask because long, long ago when I was in school I was your typical geeky nerd who wasn't even allowed into the gym if a basketball game was being played. But I was in the band, and we got letters at the end of the year. I still have my old band letterman's jacket in the closet at my parents house, and my wife still has her letter sweater the she wears from time-to-time.

Set out some very specific requirements for earning a letter. Requiring a minimum number of hours to be worked, attending a regional / championship event, off-season mentoring to younger students are all things that will show the administration you are more than just a silly little club, and instead are a valuable extracurricular activity that deserves the recognition a school letter brings.