Westminster High Marching Band to Represent Maryland in Pearl Harbor Parade

Westminster High School's marching band has been invited to travel to Hawaii in November for the 2013 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and other events surrounding the annual memorial celebration. 

"We haven't ever tried something of this scope before," Marching Band Director Jennifer Jones told Patch. "We have to get people there, get instruments there, raise money and plan for the entire experience, not just performing." 

According to Jones, eight battleships, including the USS Maryland, were moored at Pearl Harbor and a band is selected from each of the represented states to march in the annual parade. 

"They want marching bands that will not only honor and memorialize what the troops stood for, but for their musical talent as well," Jones said. "We didn't apply for this, they came to us."

Jones, who said they are hoping to take close to 100 students, said that at this point the biggest challenges are raising funds and logistics. She said they estimate it will cost approximately $150,000. She said so far just over half of the students have made the financial and time commitment to go. She is hoping to have everyone on board in the next two months.

"These are hard financial times," Jones said. "We need local support but we are respresenting the whole state and will need support from our statewide community to make this happen." 

For the students, the experience will go far beyond playing music in Hawaii. Jones said they are developing an entire educational curriculum around the experience so students learn about culture, history, language and music while they are there. A Junior ROTC group from Maryland will also be chosen to take the trip and Jones said she hopes that a local WWII vet will be able to join them as well. 

"It's a good thing we’re doing it as a whole ensemble, as a family," Jones said. "It's not just about the playing experience, it's also about the memories and experience and getting to be a part of the history.

In order to prepare for the task, the band will practice from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for 16 days of their summer break, plus give up every Saturday in September and October, and practice after school two to three nights each week in the fall. 

Jones and her assistant band director Brian Thompson also have the task of coming up with the musical program they will perform in the parade. Jones said they intend to play patriotic music but that Maryland will definitely be represented in the music.

"My vision is to really make sure there’s a Maryland footprint on what we do in Hawaii," Jones said. 

Want to support the marching band? Visit www.owlband.org and click on Paypal. Checks can be made out to WHSIMB (Westminster High School Instrumental Music Boosters) and sent to Westminster High School, 1225 Washington Rd
Westminster, MD 21157, Attn: Instrumental Music Boosters. 

Upcoming fundraisers include:

• Zumba Fun Night: Friday June 14th from 7-9 p.m.  Admission is: Adults $15 in advance/$20 at the door; Students (1st-12th grade) $10 in advance/$15 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Bonnie Konsen at 410.857.8756 or busybonnie@verizon.net 

• Craft Fair and Flea Market: Saturday June 22 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Westminster High School stadium lot. To reserve your space, contact Angie at 740.503.5638 or bzebandmom@yahoo.com.

• Quarters Auction: July 19 from 7-10 p.m. at Westminster Fire Department Social Hall. Contact Bonnie Konsen at busy bonnie@verizon.net.