Festival is music to their ears

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW September 12, 2008 12:22 pm

— Marching bands from 16 high schools will go head-to-head Saturday during the South Central Kentucky Marching Band Festival.
The competition, set to get under way at 4:30 p.m. at Glasgow High School, allows marching bands to not only demonstrate their ability as musicians, but their capability to entertain as they perform.
The event also serves as a fundrasier for the Scottie Marching Band.
“We use the money to buy instruments, to pay for some of our transportation costs when we go on extended trips and to get extra help to work with some of the kids at times,” said Corey Bonds, band director.
The band has a fundraising goal of $15,000 and Bonds hopes some of the money can be used to purchase instruments for band members.
“Right now we are in a big instrument crunch where a lot of our instruments are starting to wear out,” he said. “That’s really eating a big chunk of our budget each year.”
Some instruments the students play are purchased by the school, while others are purchased by the Band Boosters.
A lot of preparation goes into getting ready for the festival. Officials began planning the event last year.
“The last two weeks are very stressful, making sure you’ve got all your I’s dotted and your T’s crossed,” said Delana Webb, who, along with her husband Will, is co-president of the band boosters.
Various committees began preparing at the end of July, she said.
The festival is an event that requires all hands on deck to make it happen, and that includes band boosters, as well as band parents.
“Marching season is very busy,” said Tambra Cambron, who serves as secretary of the band boosters. She and her husband, Ken, have two children in the band. “As a band parent, I’m busy all year trying to help the band with all their fundraisers.”
Cambron said it’s worth it.
“As a band parent, probably the most rewarding experience is watching the transformation from beginning band camp to the actual show,” she said. “When we come out and see that first performance, it’s just a thrill to see how they can pull all of that together in the show.”
The Scottie Marching Band consists of 65 members from grades 7-12.
By hosting the band festival, Bonds said, the students gain a sense of responsibility and a sense of service by assisting the bands that come to compete. They also gain a sense of pride when they perform, he said.
“They see all the hard work they put in come to fruition,” he said.

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