It’s been a busy few months for Bruce Herrmann and his Durant High School band students. After winning a laundry list of awards during the marching season, the band was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: in one year it will perform with other top high school bands in Hawaii to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“There was a huge interest so we decided, ‘OK, let’s do this,’” Herrmann, the school’s director of instrumental music, said.
Durant High School’s Cougar Pride Marching Band will perform on the USS Missouri Memorial with students from the United States and Japan.
“It’s a pretty neat opportunity, especially in a tight community like Plant City,” Herrmann said.
The ceremony, which will be held on Dec. 7, 2016, is just part of the band’s week-long trip. Following their arrival in Hawaii on Dec. 5, band students will tour the USS Arizona Memorial and the Dole Pineapple Plantation, in addition to taking a tour of the Eastern Shores Island and doing a hiking excursion. The band will depart from Hawaii on Dec. 11.
Unfortunately, hefty travel comes with a hefty price tag.
BOOST THE BAND
Though food and many accommodations are included in the band’s travel package, created by P.A.C.E Travel, the cost for each student to participate is about $2,800. Taking the whole band, Herrmann said, would cost about $300,000.
“If we could get the donations to cover at least the student cost, I would love for every student to be able to go,” Herrmann said. “We’re a family. It’s just unfortunate that not everyone can make it. We’re going to try and change that.”
So far, 35 kids and 20 chaperones have signed up for the trip, which is about one third of the band.
Parents have volunteered to work the concession stand at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Every time a parent or volunteer works at the concession stand, the payout goes to the volunteer’s child. The band also sold spirit shirts at the beginning of the year and sold 700 poinsettias this holiday season.
“These students have other fees that they have to take care of,” Herrmann said, noting uniforms, shoes, gloves and other related costs. “We haven’t scratched the surface.”
The commemorative performance in Hawaii is one that Herrmann feels his students have earned.
“They were very good this year,” Herrmann said. “I’m super proud of their efforts.”
The band was named seventh in the state at the Florida Marching Band Championships and was awarded for best music, best percussion and best visual at the Tampa Music Games. At its district evaluation, the band received straight superiors, the highest rating possible.
“I love these kids, and I love their work ethic,” Herrmann said. “Please, donate and help our kids go to Hawaii.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
TO DONATE
GoFundMe: GoFundMe.com/b74h2ubg
REMEMBERING
The trip has special meaning for Director of Instrumental Music Bruce Herrmann, whose grandfather was a World War II veteran.