Our beloved LaBelle High School (LHS) Marching Band traveled to Fort Myers High School, for their required, nerve-wracking Band Music Assessments this past weekend.

“The purpose of the Band Music Performance Assessments, as stated on the official Florida State Music Association’s website, is to provide opportunities for students and directors to perform in an environment which provides critical evaluation of its performance by noted experts in the field of band performance, to provide the opportunity for students and directors to perform for their peers in a formal concert setting, to provide a performance opportunity which will serve as a motivational goal for students and directors, to provide an opportunity for students and directors to hear performances of their peers and learn from hearing those performances, and to provide a goal which is so compelling that the preparation for attaining that goal becomes the vehicle for continued growth and to demonstrate students’ abilities to apply musical fundamentals and concepts in an ensemble performance setting.”

While they are quite small, when compared with marching bands from other schools, working with outdated drum-line equipment that is over 15 years old, the Marching Cowboys did a wonderful job during their MPA. Receiving 3 Excellent and 2 Superior ratings, and an Overall Excellent rating, this marching band once again proved they have what it takes to perform out on the field regardless of the extreme heat and humidity, and while suffering a lack of funding.

After watching these brilliant, young musicians perform again and again, under the watchful and capable eyes of Band Director, Alexa Pena and Assistant Director, Ben Potter, and with the help of multiple parent volunteers- I just can’t help but wonder what they could do with more support from our community.

Lori Richards, LHS Marching Band parent says, “In a nutshell, our band is in need of money. This year a group of parents has decided to take on the challenge to generate more funds for our band. So far, we have had two fundraisers with the students selling chocolate, and one band mom selling band parent t-shirts. We are coordinating a car wash, yard sale, and color run.”

The band is truly in need of some enthusiastic financial sponsors, in order to be able to afford updating equipment, repairing instruments, purchasing new sheet music and marching formations, and for travel (bus) fees. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact LaBelle High School by calling (863) 674-4120.