Local band prepares for season, sets goal for new uniforms

Marching bands across Cedar Rapids have begun summer camp training and rehearsals.

The Jefferson High School Band started its summer practice schedule on Monday with around 165 band students representing 9th through 12th-graders. Thad Driskell, the director of bands at Jefferson High School, said that this year the show's theme will be Pearl Harbor Remembered.

'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Driskell of the trip 130 band members will be taking to Pearl Harbor this upcoming March. The band will play at Pearl Harbor and lay a wreath over the site where the Arizona sank.

As the band works on learning music and the routine for the new theme, they will always be continuing efforts on a goal to raise money for new uniforms.

'They look really sharp,” said Bradley Patience, a drum major and senior in the band, of the new uniforms. The current uniforms were first debuted in 2000.

The band is working to raise $80,000 for new uniforms. So far, they have raised a total of $35,000 since they began taking donations in December, with each uniform costing $400.

'We routinely get donations from parents and businesses,” said Driskell of the incoming donations. 'We're holding on to the traditional and taking steps forward at the same time.”

Driskell said that the well-known Colombia blue will remain in the new uniform designs, as well as the traditional logos. Driskell said that the uniforms will not be debuted this season, but they will continue to raise more funds throughout the year.

'I'm so excited,” said Kylie Jonas, the section leader for the tubas and a senior. Jonas said that she was feeling energized for the upcoming marching band season, and was looking forward to seeing how the new uniforms come out.

The Jefferson High School Band did a standing performance at the Kernels game on Thursday night. Their first home game performance will take place on Aug. 29.

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