Drumming up funds for band uniforms

By KAYSIE MIRE

Konk Life Student Writer

Marching band is an art to some, a place of collaboration and hard work to others. Marching band is often overlooked by some perhaps because of social stereotypes, but marching band is actually a lot of work and takes a good amount of effort and practice.

Gary Hernandez, band director at Key West High School (KWHS) has a hard job, but he tries his best to create outstanding shows. Marching band to him is “my career’s work: instilling the passion of music performance in students’ lives.”

Some may ask, “What’s so great about the art of performance?” But every second you’re on stage, or on the field, you’re performing. You are creating a beautiful energy like nothing ever seen before and projecting that into the audience. All of that emotion, all of that fiery passion, can be expressed in a way that is remarkably beautiful.

So, let’s dive in on the history of the KWHS band and their uniforms. Almost every band needs something flashy, or formal, or whatever the theme may be to wear. “The uniforms [at KWHS] are in their seventeenth season of use,” says Hernandez. You could say the uniforms have become a tradition now. Originally the band was under the direction of Mike Truhan. Hernandez notes, “Mr. Truhan was the band director who designed [the uniforms] and raised the funds for them eighteen years ago.”

Hernandez adds that “generally, uniforms last from five to seven years.” The band uniforms at KWHS are definitely overdue. Hernandez says that “the color on them [is] faded, and the band is larger than the number of uniforms we have. We need new ones to replace the worn uniforms and have enough sizes to fit students properly.” So it sounds like KWHS could use some new uniforms.

Hernandez hopes that they will use new uniforms for better shows and amazing performances, “once we get them,” which is the issue at hand. Today, and all year, the band is trying to raise $65,000 for new school uniforms. That’s going to be a lot of work.

Which is why the KWHS band could use your help. Yes, they are asking for money, but they also just want their efforts to be known. “Everyone can help by sharing our fundraising efforts on social media,” says Hernandez. It’s the least anyone can do to help. If you want to get involved please contact Hernandez on the Key West High School website and click on the band tab. Also, you could share the hashtag: #KWHSMB to promote the fundraiser.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]