Joliet West band’s March-A-Thon set for Aug. 1
By Tony Graf tgraf@stmedianetwork.com July 15, 2012 8:32PM
Updated: August 17, 2012 6:45AM
JOLIET — The Marching Tigers are drumming up support, and the community has a chance to help the band and watch a special performance.
The Joliet West High School band will hold a March-A-Thon on Aug. 1 — an eight-hour day of marching band practice.
Students are taking pledges for the time they are practicing, with 100 percent of the donation money being deposited into the students’ individual band accounts. These accounts are used to pay for uniforms, travel expenses, props and private music lessons.
“It’s a great way for kids to get excited about the band, and become more responsible,” said Michelle Long, vice president of the Joliet West Band Boosters.
The day after the March-A-Thon, the community is invited to attend a band performance and enjoy the music. The Joliet West band will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Joliet West athletic field.
This show will be a special night — the culmination of a lot of hard work during summer practice and the March-A-Thon, Long said.
“Something happens after that first performance. It’s like a sparkle. It’s like a team that has won its first game together,” she said.
Pledges of support can be either per hour — up to eight hours — or one lump sum.
If you do not know a band member personally but would like to support the band, pledges will be collected at the Aug. 2 event. A general donation check, made out to Joliet West Bands, can be mailed to: Joliet West High School, 401 N. Larkin Ave., Joliet, IL 60435 — Attention: Band Program.
Members of the Joliet West Marching Tigers will be featured at 9 a.m. July 20 on the “Lynne, Mary and Natalie Show” on WJOL-AM Joliet (1340).
Special events
The August performance will cap off an exciting seven-day stretch for music fans at Joliet Township High School.
At the end of July, several organizations are celebrating a century of band history at the school.
Here’s a quick review:
July 27 opening: The “Strike Up the Band” exhibit will open at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. The exhibit will run for a year.
July 28 dinner: The Band Alumni Association will present a celebratory dinner at the Carpenters Hall, 1407 Essington Road. Cost is $35.
July 29 alumni concert: About 120 alumni — from a variety of years and from throughout the country — will perform a centennial concert for the community at Joliet Central High School, 201 E. Jefferson St.
The concert will include alumni from the Joliet Central, West and East campuses and the old Joliet Township High School.
Aug. 1-2: March-A-Thon and West performance, 401 N. Larkin Ave.
