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Funding for the arts has been reduced or eliminated at many schools across the country, making it more important than ever to support programs that encourage students to express themselves through music or other creative pursuits.
To that end, an upcoming concert will allow folks to jump on the bandwagon (or, in this case, the band bus) and support Hilton Head Island High School’s marching band.
On Dec. 8, the Stardust Orchestra will present a very special concert at the high school’s Visual Performing Arts Center to raise funds for the 40-member band.
The Stardust Orchestra was formed in 2004 and consists of musicians and vocalists from the Hilton Head/Bluffton area. The unique thing about the Stardust Orchestra is that is plays mainly for charitable causes, particularly by working with school music programs and supporting music scholarship programs.
The orchestra is dedicated to keeping Big Band-era music alive, and will play some of the greats at the December event. Concert-goers will be treated to the music of artists such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and more. There may also be some holiday classics and a high school jazz band performance thrown in for good measure.
Members of the marching band will work as ushers, hand out programs and perform other jobs to help make the concert an enjoyable experience.
The marching band gets zero funding from the school district, and all the money needed to keep the program going is raised by the band’s Booster Club.
“We do everything we can to raise money for the band, from a breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s to running a concessions stand at the football games,” said Ellen Tedesco, band booster president. She said they also receive funds from the Concours d’Elegance event.
“It costs a lot to run the band, so we’re always very excited to have community groups help us out,” she said. “We were just thrilled when the Stardust Orchestra approached us in April and wanted to know if we’d be interested in them doing a concert to benefit the band.”
The marching band hasn’t had it easy over the last few years.
In 2007, director T.J. Shank was hired and in 2008 led the band to its first-ever first-place win in a competitive marching band event. But, Shank got married and moved. The same thing happened with the next director.
The current director is Todd Smith, who “has been just fantastic,” said Tedesco. But Smith said it’s the kids who give the band its pulse.
“These kids put in hours and hours of hard work,” he said. So, he added, he’d love to use some of the money raised at the concert to purchase equipment and to treat the marching band members to a trip to Disney World for an annual event that showcases marching bands and other ensembles from around the world. “We’d love to give the kids something fun and something that would make
great memories.”
Tedesco said they also hope to be able to put some money toward new chairs for practices. “It’s one of the main things the band needs,” she said. “Right now they’re using plastic chairs, which don’t have the proper support when sitting and playing an instrument.”
Meanwhile, Tedesco and Smith said they are very grateful to the Stardust Orchestra for volunteering their time and energy to the marching band.
“We’re very, very excited,” said Smith. “This will be a fabulous concert.”
-Sally Mahan
If you go
The Stardust Orchestra Concert to benefit the Hilton Head High School Seahawk band program will be held at 7 p.m., Dec. 8, at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at the high school. Tickets are $20 per person, and $15 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased at Burke’s Pharmacy or by calling Todd Smith at 843-689-4800, or Ellen Tedesco at 843-681-8615. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
