MHS Band raises $30,000 for new uniforms

The Maricopa High School marching band will be getting new uniforms thanks to fundraising efforts and a matching donation from the district.

Band members needed to raise nearly $30,000. The uniforms were necessary after the band grew from less than 50 members to over 100 members in the last few years. With more uniforms needed and current uniforms nearly 20 years old and starting to fall apart, the decision to purchase new uniforms was made.

“Through the cooperation of the school district matching what the band is able to raise, we were able to get this process started,” MHS Band Director Ivan Pour said. “We will have nearly 110 coming in, but expect a total of 130.”

The new uniforms were inspired from a design being used by the University of Missouri. The fabric is a synthetic blend called “extreme dry fabric” and should be much lighter and cooler during performances.

“The biggest concern we get from parents and students is heat,” Pour said. “When we had students try this on, they felt it was lighter.”

The band will continue fundraising efforts to pay for additional uniforms throughout the winter as well.

“We are going to be starting a sale of band ‘spirit gear’ in the next week or so,” Pour said. “We will have MHS Band shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, hats and other items for sale. In addition, we want to remind everyone they can donate tax credits directly to the band and that can go towards our uniforms.”

Under new state rules, band supporters can donate tax credits from 2015 through April 15, and they have the option to donate credits for the 2016 tax year as well. It is $200 for an individual or $400 for a married couple. Donators will get a “dollar-for-dollar” reduction on their taxes owed as long as someone pays at least that amount in Arizona taxes.

Upcoming band events:
•    Jan. 29 – Small Pep Band performing at Our Lady of Grace Carnival – 4 p.m.
•    Jan. 30 – The Marching Rams will perform the National Anthem at Grand Canyon University Men’s Basketball Game.
•    Feb. 6 – MHS Winterguard performs at WGAZ Buckeye Show at Buckeye Union High School
•    Feb. 13 – MHS Winterguard performs at WGAZ Campo Verde Show at Campo Verde HS.
•    Feb. 27 – MHS Winterguard performs at WGAZ Casa Grande Show at Casa Grande Union HS.
•    March 2 – The MHS Symphonic Band and Chamber Orchestra perform at the ABODA Area Concert Festival at Desert Mountain HS in Scottsdale. The Orchestra performs at 3:45 p.m. and the band at 5:15 p.m.
•    March 3-6 – Members of the Band and Orchestra will travel to Anaheim, California, to perform in a Worldstrides OnStage Festival with awards presented at Disneyland
•    April 1-2 – MHS Winterguard performs at WGAZ Championships at Grand Canyon University.
•    May 7 – MHS, DWMS, and MWMS Band, Orchestra, and Choir programs will perform in our Second Annual “Music-a-Thon”