10/1/2008 9:03:00 PM Dignitaries invite Pride of Prescott band to New Year's Day Parade in London
Jo. L. Keener/The Daily Courier
Prescott drum major Jordhann Fitzgerald embraces Roger Bramble, Lord Lieutenant of London, after a formal invitation was extended to the Prescott High School Marching Band to participate in the 2009-2010 New Years parade in London.
Jo. L. Keener/The Daily Courier
The Pride of Prescott High School Marching Band Drum Section opens a ceremony Wednesday afternoon in the Ruth Street Theater prior to receiving an invitation to take part in the 2010 London, England, New Year’s day Parade and Festival.
PRESCOTT - The Pride of Prescott High School Marching Band may be marching in the 2010 London New Year's Day Parade.
Roger Bramble, the Deputy Lieutenant of London and Her Majesty the Queen's representative, personally invited PHS to participate in the parade and festival Wednesday.
"This is awesome. It is a great opportunity," said Jordhann Fitzgerald, one of three Pride of Prescott drum majors.
Fellow drum major A.J. Smith said band director Dan Bradstreet surprised the band members with news of the invitation to London.
"He told us about it at band camp after a scavenger hunt. We had to find the words in a limerick, and then Mr. Bradstreet put them together and read it to us," Smith said.
Drum major Clif Weston said the announcement caused a momentary pause of disbelief.
"It took a couple seconds for us to realize he was not joking around. Mr. Bradstreet does not joke about something this big," Weston said.
Bramble gave each of the drum majors a commemorative gold coin.
The PHS Marching Band is the only Arizona band invited to participate in the 2010 parade.
Parade director Roger Bone said more than 10,000 people from 20 countries participate in the parade. He said 750,000 people line the streets of London and another 220 million worldwide watch the parade on television.
"There is no greater or more historical parade route," Bone said.
Bramble said a committee of band directors across the United States recommends bands for the parade. He added that the directors hear about outstanding marching bands "on the grapevine."
"I would give anything to see my son go to London," parent Marilyn Howden said. "The band is the best thing - it is something you can do your entire life."
Clarinet player Josh Mize is excited for the opportunity to visit London.
"I like big cities and it would be great to see one outside of this country," Mize said.
Damon Begley, who plays the tenor sax, said the London audience "would be a lot bigger crowd than we are used to."
PHS band booster president Mark Smith said the booster club would help the students raise the estimated $300,000 the band needs for the trip.
"We figure it will cost $3,000 for each of the 100 students," Smith said.
The booster club is planning a car raffle in conjunction with its annual spaghetti dinner.
Smith said the club also is "promoting the use of tax credit money for the trip," Smith said.
Prescott Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Kapp said making the trip happen will take a tremendous amount of work. However, he said he is "proud, pleased and thrilled" that the marching band has this opportunity.
Contact the reporter at prhoden@prescottaz.com
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, October 18, 2008
Article comment by:
Anonymous
Congrats to the band in Prescott. Our high school Florence High School in Alabama has also been invited. It will be my son's senior year there and I hope we can make the trip.
Posted: Sunday, October 05, 2008
Article comment by:
Band Parent
I am a current Band parent and it saddens me that anyone could be negative towards our kids. Perhaps that is what is wrong with our youth of today, their parents don't stand behind them and their education and experiences. Certainly all are entitled to their oppions but do we need to allow negativity to seep into the children of our future by such demeaning and negative energy? These children were specially hand picked for this honor as only one of 40 bands choosen nation wide. How many schools can say they have had this honor? These Children will take this memory with them forever. I am proud to ba a part of this group, these children and these parents. GO PRIDE of PRESCOTT. We will make certain that these kids get to London to make Prescott proud. Please help these kids achieve thier goal of $300,000.00 so that all may attended not just those that "can afford it" Thank you to all that believe in us!! These kids are truely worth the effort and the support; help us let them know that if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything!
Posted: Saturday, October 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Tyler Johnson
The editor has removed this comment because it violates ther terms of use agreement.
Posted: Friday, October 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Jeff Logan
Anonymous, first I am not a liberal and I WILL NOT VOTE FOR Obama! Someone had to slam the door on that whiner and crybaby, like you. I tell it like it is which apparently you don't like, so why don't you just crawl in a corner and pout?! You obviously don't know an honor if it came up and bit you. And I AM MAN ENOUGH to show my name while you hide behind a false one. EVERY band memeber and parent attending this will benifit. Before you make false accusations about someone you should get the facts straight. I never said to bow down to the Queen, I said it was an honor to be invited by her. If I were rich which I'm not I would surely donate the money for the band to go. We do for our children. Even after they have flown the coop as you stated yours had. As a conservative talk show host I watch says, "Don't be a pinhead"! And anonymous don't forget to drink your Koolaid.
Posted: Friday, October 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Tyler Johnson
The editor has removed this comment because it violates the terms of use.
Posted: Friday, October 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Off To See The Queen
I began studying clarinet in the fourth grade. Continued my playing the instrument through high school and college placing "first chair". This position was motived through much encouragement from parents, teachers and the community. It was an honor to be a part of the marching band, orchestra and dance band in a small college town where we we invited to join in with the college "Homecoming Parade." If it were not for the love of music I would probably have not been such a good student. It was required we have a 3.0 average in order to participate in any activity the school offered. We have a responsibility to support, any way we can, these students. Invest in our future by investing in the children. CONGRATULATIONS PHS BAND! You go to London and make us proud! God's Speed. Marianne Elizabeth Vangalio
Posted: Friday, October 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Anonymous
Wow Jeff, you sure are taking those comments hard. Can't someone have a different opinion? Will your child benefit from this? All mine have flown the coupe.
As far as the Queen, we don't bow to that Queen in this country - I guess maybe you do.
I can feel your liberal bleeding heart from here. I'm sure Obama will appreciate your vote!
I support the children seeing the world or whatever, but We The People should not be burdened with making their dream come true. Times are tough enough. I have an idea - why don't YOU (and your big mouth) pay for their trip and leave the rest of us out of it? No tissues needed here - just financial prudence!
Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Jeff Logan
B.S. How about some specifics? Did your student go with others in a class trip? Were he/she invited by the Queen of England? This is a once in a life time trip for the Band and Prescott High School. The Queen invited the band for HER parade. Don't rain on ours please. With your attitude, please, keep your money, you will need it to buy more tissues to cry into.
Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Anonymous
Congratulations to the Pride of Prescott! It is wonderful to see young adults dedicating so much of their time, effort and talent to making music and then to get rewarded with such a prestigious invitation just makes my heart smile. Prescott is very proud of you for being positive role models in this community. So many studies show that children who get involved with music programs while in school are more likely to stay in school. I am a PHS alumni that dedicated 9 to actively pursuing music. I traveled to many different places around the state, playing in regional orchestras, meeting new people with the same interests as me and let me tell you, I don't know where I would have ended up if my love for music hadn't kept me so motivated to do well in school (my parents would have never allowed me to travel like I did had my grades not been up). These kids SHOULD be rewarded for a job well done and I hope the community comes together to make sure this dream becomes a reality for all the kids involved in the band.
Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Proud of the Pride
It's sad that you feel that way, B.S.. With all the negative written in the papers, and on the news, about our youth it's a joy to see something positive. These children are dedicated and have been rewarded for their time and effort. How about supporting them, even if it's only with words, instead of bashing this honor?
To the PHS Marching Band members, congratulations on your hard work paying off in such a positive way! There are a lot of people that are very proud of you right now around Prescott (and surrounding areas). We're so glad you chose a positive route with your lives.
Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Article comment by:
B. S.
This is a ridiculous expense and to pass on to tax payers? No one paid for my student to go to London. Why do we want to even promote Prescott to England? What do they care about Prescott? I'll tell you - THEY DON'T. As I sit here and write this, holding back the tears, I realize:
This is a waste of time and it's SHAMEFUL to ask taxpayers to pay for something so trivial. And the next time I want to travel to Europe, please send your tax credit info to.....
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Fan
Please find the PUSD Tax Credit form link ( http://www.prescottschools.com/az_tax_credit.htm) and info at the PUSD web site. Specify London Trip to fund band travel expences. This not only provides the students with a great educational experience, but promotes Prescott in England where people love to travel.
Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Jeff Logan
The key to success here is getting donations and fund raisers to make this awesome trip possible for The Pride of Prescott Marching Band. We live in a unique area that is very supportive of everything. Lets help these kids make this dream come true!
