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Alums give students in band a boost

Posted 9:33 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The UW-L Alumni Band would like to have an endowed scholarship to support current marching band members. A fundraising event Aug. 17 will help them reach their goal.

[caption id="attachment_25181" align="alignright" width="550"]UW-L Alumni Band trumpet players walk and play in parade. The UW-L Alumni Band marches in the Maple Leaf Parade during Oktoberfest 2012.[/caption]

Join the UW-L Alumni Band for a fundraising event Aug. 17

For years the UW-La Crosse Alumni Band has passed the hat among band members, collecting money to go to one dedicated, current member of the UW-L Screaming Eagles Marching Band. They’ve done well. Last year during the Maple Leaf Parade, they raised more than previous years — a total of $3,300. Now the alumni band would like to take their fundraising a step further. About $10,000 short of having an endowed scholarship, the band is picking up its fundraising this August with an event on campus. Join the UW-L Alumni Band for a fundraising event from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 17, at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center Courtyard. Hot dogs, beverages, games and music from “The Rose River Band” is all free, but donations are accepted. Funds will go toward the $500 scholarship awarded to a current marching band member each year. [caption id="attachment_25187" align="alignright" width="550"]UW-L Alumni Band members walking and playing. The UW-L Alumni Band marches in the Maple Leaf Parade during Oktoberfest 2012.[/caption] A scholarship fund for UW-L Alumni Band members is important, says Lisa Butterfield, ’83, treasurer for the UW-L Alumni Band. Students who march are often so busy with band they have little time to work a part-time job during college. Yet, the experience is worthwhile and life changing, she adds. She met her husband of 30 years in marching band. “We want to keep students in band — that’s why we started passing the hat,” says Butterfield. “College is a busy time for students and we don’t want band to be the thing they drop.” The UW-L marching band scholarship is dedicated in memory of John Alexander, the marching band’s previous director.

Join the band!

The UW-L Alumni Band always welcomes new members. They would like more recent graduates to consider joining. There is no cost to join and no audition. Alums who join now could march in the next Alumni Band gig, the Maple Leaf parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, in La Crosse. Learn more at www.uwlalumni.com/.

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