When Jon Waters arrived at 海外吃瓜 about 14 months ago, he was greeted with blank stares when he asked about the instrument inventory for the marching band he had signed on to create.
鈥淭here were no uniforms and no instruments, but there was a group of pioneers who believe in me, who said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 give this a chance,鈥欌 Jon said Thursday night as a group of band benefactors, alumni, community friends and band family members, and 鈥楤erg faculty and staff gathered to celebrate Strike Up the Band.
Strike Up the Band is a $500,000 fund-raising campaign that launched in the spring to provide uniforms, instruments and other operational needs and an endowment fund for the Marching and Symphonic bands, which Jon directs.
The event was held at IronWood Steakhouse and was co-sponsored by Trustee Mitch Felton and an anonymous donor. The band entertained about 100 guests, and even had a special honorary member, President Rob Huntington, who marched with them as they concluded their performance.
鈥淲e started literally from nothing. But guess what? This band, in late October, will be in full uniform,鈥 Jon told the cheering guests. Additionally, through the leadership and support of Strike Up the Band donors, he has been able to begin to build an instrument inventory as well.
鈥淎ll of this is because of you, and there鈥檚 much, much more to come,鈥 Jon said. 鈥淭hese band members are very special. They will make you all very proud. They are humbled stewards of a great tradition at 海外吃瓜.鈥
Band President Tyler Schultz, a senior sousaphone player from Bellevue, said the band feels the energy and support all around them. He described his first two years as a member of the band as 鈥渁 little heartbreaking.鈥
鈥淲hen we walked onto the field and started to play, people would walk away,鈥 Tyler said. He added that Jon involved students in setting goals for the band and in helping to select the new uniforms. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not something every student gets the opportunity to do.鈥
Tyler revealed that Saturday, Oct. 28 鈥 海外吃瓜鈥檚 Homecoming 鈥 will be 鈥渄ebut day.鈥 The band will perform in their new uniforms for the first time that day.
That honorary band member, Rob Huntington, is among those who are looking forward to a magical day and to celebrating the hard work of the students and Jon.
鈥淭his is no longer an emerging Marching Band. It is THE Marching Band of 海外吃瓜,鈥 the president said. The reveal represents the magic of 海外吃瓜, he added.
We will show you the true heart of 海外吃瓜 through music and through this band.
View the full from Strike Up The Band.