Goodrich-High school music boosters are scrambling to outfit the school’s growing marching band.
Music Booster president Michele Puzio said the band’s current uniforms are about 8 years old. ‘They usually last ten years’tops,? said Puzio.
Music Boosters is a group for parents of music students, whether they be in band or choir.
In January, GHS band instructor Aaron Orkisz made a presentation to the school board about the band’s need for instruments and uniforms. Orkisz said the band currently has 75 usable uniforms, and is in need of an additional 30 uniforms for the 2006-07 school year, at a cost of almost $8,393.
An additional 60 uniforms would need to be purchased to by the 2010 school year to meet demand, at an approximate total of cost of $25,178 for the 90 uniforms.
A second option was the purchase of 175 uniforms for approximately $52,142.
The first option, ‘allows the band to have enough uniforms for the upcoming years but does not address the fact that the uniforms are eight years old and will need to be replaced in the upcoming years unless replacement uniforms are purchased every few years,? said Orkisz.
The second option, ‘allows the band to have enough uniforms for next year plus new uniforms for the following ten years. (This also) allows the band to have the old uniforms to be recycled by the middle school bands for possible parades.?
However, Orkisz said he is currently looking at getting only the necessary number of uniforms to outfit next year’s band.
‘Basically what we’re looking to do is not to purchase new uniforms but rather additional uniforms, ? said Orkisz.
While the board agreed to cover costs of new instruments, Puzio said she was told by superintendent Kim Hart the responsibility of new uniforms would fall to the music boosters.
‘Money is tight in the budget and we felt it was best focused on (buying) instruments,? said Hart.
‘We continue to appreciate the support from our school board and our fundraisers,? said Orkisz.
Orkisz estimated class size will grow from 86 students this year to 156 students by the 2009-2010 school year.
To cover costs, the boosters have a variety of fundraisers, including running the concession stands at football games and track meets.
‘We’re trying to be creative with fundraising,? said Reed.
Reed said she hopes the addition of a 5K walk and fun run at Good Times in Goodrich this September will hope bring in some of the needed money.
The 3.1 mile course will run from the park in Goodrich on Erie Street to the Goodrich schools and back. Musical entertainment will be provided along the way by the marching band and choir.
Entry fees are $15 per person prior to July 29 or $20 after that date, and includes a T-shirt.
Band boosters meet the first Tuesday of every month in the band room at Goodrich High School, 8029 Gale Road.
Details: Michele Puzio at (810) 523- 2497. http://www.goodrich.k12.mi.us/comservices/musicboosters/musicboosters.htm .