The start of a new school year and football schedule means our high school bands will be playing the music that entertains and encourages all. When the band starts to play, especially Kinder’s Band of Gold, it’s a form of beauty, harmony and expression of emotion, which is actually the definition of music.
The Kinder Band of Boosters are hard at work seeking sponsors and other donors to make sure the band is there to support its school and to entertain all. Booster members and band students have been speaking to the community and seeking sponsors. The boosters also have developed a way to showcase those sponsors from the community.
This year’s sponsorship brochure and cover letter provided great info and listed their sponsors for this year’s season. They would like to showcase their sponsors. “Without the community support, Kinder Band would not be possible,” booster members noted.
This year’s sponsors will include the following
•Patron: There are 14 sponsors including Image 360, Jack Miller’s BBQ Sauce, Jones and Hill LLC, Kinder Courier News, Lake Charles Coca Cola Bottling Company, Lamar Advertising, Oh Taste and See, Patel McDonald’s, Penny Malbrew Attorney, Rabideaux’s Sausage Kitchen, Riley Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Sheriff Doug Hebert, Sincere Rx and Wands and Whimsy.
•Bronze: There are five sponsors including Cenla Environmental Science, Jason Hebert Enterprises, Kinder Therapy Group, Lake Charles Toyota and Vaughn Ford Oakdale.
•Silver: There are nine sponsors including Allen Parish Community Healthcare, Awon Ace Hardware, Dr. Matthew Courville, Grand Church, Holaway’s Victory Lane Auto and Trailer Sales, Jackie Carter Pugh, Kinder Tire and Auto, The Buzz and Westwood Ace Hardware.
•Gold: There was one sponsor, and that is Carolyn Manuel.
•Platinum: There are three sponsors including Buffalo Run, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and OldMan’s Woodworks.
The Kinder Band of Gold has grown in the last four years and enjoys competing, as well as playing at high school events. The band received its second large ensemble assessment sweepstakes in a row in 20 years. The high school band has grown from 18 members to 50 members in four years, and the middle school has grown from 47 students to 90 students. The program is looking for financial support from the community and local businesses.
The annual cost of a marching band includes $2,000 for show music, $1,200 for drills, $2,000 for transportation, $1,500 for festival fees, drumheads for $1,200, drum reconditioning for $600, field paint for $200, stand music for $500, show props for $2,500 and band camp meals (10 meals for 50 kids) at $2,500. The band’s current needs are two marching baritones ($800 each), three concert euphoniums ($2,388 each), marching tubas ($4,500), 75 Wenger band chairs ($108 each), new drum set kit and cumbals ($2,000) and building the inside of the band trailer ($2,000).
The Golden Guard needs choreography ($500) and cost per member ($500 meaning 10 members for $5,000). Member cost includes show uniform, game uniform, three to four silks and pole per member, rifle gear, sabre gear, costume makeup and any other equipment needed for optimal performance.
Anyone wishing to donate can contact the a booster member or call the school. You can also send an inquiry for more information, etc. to thebandofgoldboosters@gmail.com. All support is appreciated, and the band is recognized and registered as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.