The Gallatin High School Pride Band, under the direction of Gene Edwards, has been invited to perform at the AT&T Cotton Bowl, in Dallas, Texas from Dec. 29, 2007 to Jan. 2, 2008. This great honor comes with a lot of hard work and dedication.
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The band received an invitation in April. After receiving a I at their state performance, the band sent in an audition tape to a panel of judges who select the bands for the Cotton Bowl. The band was then notified in May that they had been selected! The band is planning to compete in Drumline, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Flag Corps along with marching in the parade and participating in pre-game and half-time festivities.
In June, Mr. Edwards, his wife, Lois, and Band Booster President Tara Tairent and her husband Alan, went to Texas to select where the band will be eating on the trip and planned activities as well.
After the trip, the Band Boosters decided that the band members would need to host fund-raisers to raise money for their trip. The cost of the trip is $338 per person, based on four people, $361 per person based on three people, $406 per person based on two people, and $592 per person based on one person to a hotel room. An additional $96.50 will be required for meals and activities. The school district will provide the charter buses for the Cotton Bowl trip.
The Band Boosters and band students have been busy raising money to help pay for the trip. One of the first fund-raisers the band held, was hosting a dinner and breakfast for a group of bicyclists that came through Gallatin on June 13-14. The next fund-raiser was the Gallatin Tractor Pull on June 23. After that, the band hosted a Law Day Lunch on July 24 for the members of the Gallatin community. The band members sold Law Day lunch tickets on July 17. They then made the lunches and delivered them to the customers on July 24. A golf cart wash was held at the Gallatin Country Club on July 25. Robert Robertson hosted a softball tournament on July 27 and 28 and agreed to give all of the profits to the band. The members worked concession stands and helped with the carnival. On Aug. 4, some members participated in a car wash next to Pamida. An adult softball tournament was held on Aug. 10-11, at which the band provided the concession stand. A tailgate party was held Aug. 24 at the Football Jamboree.
Some of the upcoming fund-raisers are as follows:
Aug. 30 – Lia Sophia Jewelry party at the High School Gym.
Sept. 8 – Dinner Theater, dinner served from 6-7 p.m., and the show will feature Tarry Westley, an Elvis impersonator, and the Old Country Jamboree will perform from 7 to 9 p.m.
Sept. 15 – Raffle at Chautauqua for an Adirondack chair constructed and donated by Dennis Carpenter.
Oct. 26 – Raffle for a quilt, made by Mrs. Redman, to be given away during senior recognition night at the football game.
The band will also be participating in their annual fundraiser in November.
The concession stands at the Gallatin Invitational Basketball Tournament in December will also be provided by the band.
If you would like to make a donation to the band for their trip please contact Tara Tairent, 112 Brook St,. Gallatin, MO 64640, 660-663-3104. The band appreciates your support!