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Townview band to march in China -- with your help
11:16 AM Tue, Feb 05, 2008 | Permalink
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It's going to take a lot more than a few bake sales to get the band the rest of the way. The group will have about a month after the February deadline to raise the remaining cost of about $460,000 for the rest of the expenses, lodging, etc. I know, I know, it's a whole lotta cash. Dean Hill, the band director, even agrees with that. But the band was invited to attend this prestigious event, and I don't have to tell you how good they are, so why not help out? Check out this story we wrote on the band's fundraising challenge. For more information or to make a donation, click here. |
The Townview Big "D" Marching Band needs to raise some serious moolah to participate in the pre-Olympics music festival in Beijing this summer. The trip is expected to cost $660,000 (no that's not a misprint). The first installment of $200,000 for the airfare is due by Feb. 15. The 200-member band began its fundraising effort in October and has raised $60,000. |
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Comments
Posted by reader1 @ 9:06 AM Wed, Feb 06, 2008
While I think it nice to show off at the Olympics, it seems that the $3,300 would be better spent on these kids' college funds. Many of them are not wealthy and are in for a surprise when they learn that all but 'full ride' scholarships will require them to pay a lot of expenses out of pocket.
Posted by ntb @ 9:47 AM Sun, Feb 10, 2008
These types of events are "invitational" after the sponsor makes an application. Usually one uses good judgement and only applies when there is a reasonable expectation of funding. Begging the community for donations shortly before deadlines doesn't seem like a reasonable plan.
Perhaps a suitable alternative trip can be found that would allow the community's donations to be better spent on that college fund that reader1 suggested.
Posted by Engrid @ 10:53 PM Sun, Feb 10, 2008
Wow...I can't believe the comments I am reading here. We as adults should be ashamed. There are several parades that I have enjoyed over the past 50 years of my life...Hero welcomes, Holidays, etc. Marching Bands are unsung heroes. The kids live in our community why should'nt we support their dreams. The school is Number 1 In America I think College for these youngsters won't be a issue.
If Corporate sponsors came to their support they could work off the donation with titles and Advertising.
Posted by JustMeTalking @ 7:44 PM Mon, Feb 11, 2008
Anything good about DISD is waiting to be buried in the news archives. Here's one thing that we need to celebrate about our school system yet we still have people who can't say anything positive about Dallas ISD. These kids come to school as early as 6:00 am for practice, spend the summer with their bandmates to learn new skills, travel to sporting and invitational events and still manage to pull good grades and earn scholarships. If Dallas residents can't support a good thing like this for DISD students, then what does that say about what we value the most for our youth. I will definitely support and write a check for Townview Band going to China. What about you? What do you value?
Posted by ntb @ 3:11 AM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Engrid and JustMe -
School groups from all districts work hard, perform well, and deserve to be rewarded, including the band from Townview. School leaders must be practical about their choices for the students' education and lead them towards success. How practical is a trip that cannot be funded without begging in the media? What message does that show the students - that because they go to school in Dallas that funding for a trip means crisis?
If the school leaders had selected a trip within the United States that was also prestigious, for example the Macy's Parade, perhaps it would have been more affordable and this situation would have been avoided.
This just looks like bad leadership and the kids are the ones left to suffer disappointment for it.