Rocky River High School
PIRATE marching
band
The Rocky River High School
Marching Band, at 178 marchers strong for the 2013 marching band season, is a
visible source of pride for Rocky River City Schools and the Rocky River
community throughout northeast Ohio and beyond.
The Band delighted and entertained crowds at 10 football games and 2
band festivals this past fall. The
Pirate Marching Band comprises 21% of the entire student body of Rocky River
High School. Based on projections by our
directors, Kirk Taylor and Ryan Hudec, the Rocky River Marching Band will show
continued growth over the next three years.
This is a testament to the strong instrumental music program that Kirk
and Ryan have built and sustained.
The growth in the Band this
year, coupled with the purchase of new instruments (including six new
sousaphones) and new equipment lead to an unexpected problem. Rocky River City School District no longer
has a vehicle large enough to transport the Pirate Marching Band’s instruments
and equipment. Temporary solutions got
the Band through the 2013 fall marching season, but a permanent solution is
required, especially in light of the projected future growth of the band.
We are excited to announce that
the School District has approved the purchase of a trailer for the marching
band, to be paid for primarily from private donations. Parent volunteers are leading the project
both for the purchase of the trailer and the fundraising. The trailer will be a walk-through trailer
with custom-built shelving, racks and storage areas to accommodate all of the
band’s equipment. Very preliminary estimates
put the cost of the trailer, including the custom build-out of the inside of
the trailer, at $60,000.
We are pleased to announce that
we are partnering with the Rocky River Education Foundation (RREF”) on this
project. A restricted purpose fund has
been established with RREF to receive donations for the project. All donations to this fund will be
tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
You can double your donation if your employer has a matching gift
program. In addition, RREF has provided
a significant grant towards the purchase of the trailer.
We have established several
sponsorship levels for this project. You
can find information on these sponsorship levels and the benefits available at
each level under the band trailer tab on the band website. All who support this project will be
recognized on the band website and at the band fundraising dinner. For a donation of $1,000 or more, your
business or family will receive ongoing recognition on the outside of the
trailer. The trailer will travel
throughout the Cleveland area and beyond each year.
If you have questions, would
like more information or would like to help with fundraising, please contact
Jim Spallino at 216-299-7567 or at [email protected].