The Hixson High School band, the Marching Wildcats, and the school's band boosters are raising funds to replace the band's 16-year-old uniforms. Their goal is to raise $20,000 by the end of November to purchase the uniforms for the 2019-20 school year.
Over the past few years, the band has grown to more than 70 students - the largest it's been in a decade, said Doreen Davis, band boosters board member. Matt McHenry, the school's band director, said the band has grown by about 15 percent over the past two years.
Senior members of the Hixson High School band display the trophies they received at this year's Peach State Marching Festival held in Rome, Ga. The band won first place in its division in the categories of Majorette, Drum Line and Color Guard; and second place overall.Davis noted that the uniforms are older than many of the kids in the band, and said most have broken snaps and buttons and worn sleeves. Sixteen years is longer than the average lifespan of band uniforms at other schools in the area, said McHenry.
"The number of hours these kids put in would blow your mind," Davis said, adding that band members spend 15 or more hours a week outside of school practicing or performing during marching season. "I feel like the least we can do is give them decent uniforms to wear."
She said the band does not receive any funding from the school or Hamilton County school system. Funds used for instruments, transportation and additional instructors for camps come from the $300-per-student band fee paid by parents, as well as from fundraising by band members and concessions sales at games.
"We work very hard to raise money to keep the band going; it's just not enough to purchase new uniforms," Davis said.
The cost to sponsor one uniform is $285. Those who do so have the option to have their name or the name of a current or former band member sewn into a uniform jacket in recognition of their contribution.
Donations of any amount are appreciated, and all are tax-deductible, said Davis, adding that the fundraiser was approved by the Hamilton County Board of Education. To make a donation online, use the PayPal link on the band's website at hixsonhighband.com. Donations can also be made by check, made out to Hixson High School Band Boosters and mailed to P.O. Box 782, Hixson, Tenn., 37343.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.