What does The Emporia Public Schools district food service department have to do with the Spartan marching band?
Absolutely nothing. Unless, of course, you count the food service truck the band has been using lately to haul four timpani, suspended cymbals, a marching xylophone, a marching marimba, chimes, five bass drums, snares, podiums, music stands, uniforms and everything else it takes to perform at the Spartan football games at Welch Stadium every fall.
But that’s not all. The Emporia High School marching band also travels hundreds of miles throughout the year to numerous parades and festivals to perform for audiences across the state. But a caravan of trucks, trailers and a food service vehicle hasn’t been an ideal arrangement for getting all their instruments and equipment where they need to be.
Nothing against the district food service department, but it’s time the marching band had its own transportation.
So, for those folks in town who have been voicing their support recently for keeping fine arts thriving in our schools, here’s an opportunity to make a positive difference in a long-standing musical tradition in Emporia.
The Emporia High School Band Boosters are asking the community to help them raise approximately $6,000 to purchase and refurbish a used 24-foot U-Haul truck that they can call their own to transport their band equipment around town and across Kansas each year. And thanks to Rex Williams of Williams Automotive, who has volunteered to help with the initial maintenance of the vehicle, there are also plans to build two dressing rooms in the truck to accommodate uniform changes for band members.
All individuals or companies that donate $500 toward the purchase of the vehicle will have their names listed on the side of the truck as a permanent reminder to the community that they support the EHS marching band.
Call Emporia High Band Director Bob Haselhuhn, 341-2365, or Williams, 344-1820, for more information or to give your tax-deductible donation today.
We all know the marching band is a spirited and courageous bunch of kids, but really... is accidentally arriving at a performance venue with a truckload of drumsticks, instead of drum sticks, a risk they should have to take?
Let’s help them out.
historian1982 (Nick Gronseth) says...
great article Ashley!!
March 11, 2010 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Congrats to the Food Service Dept and the Marching Band for coordinating the shared used of the truck. That speaks volumes in today's ongoing school budgeting problems of trying to make do with what is already available.
Based on this article, I'll count on seeing at least 2 different contributors listed on the proposed truck, namely The Gazette, and Chris and Ashley Walker. Thanks to each.
March 11, 2010 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )