RESERVE - Joining the ranks of the high school marching band elite are the Wildcats of East St. John as they have been invited to Dallas to perform in the 2007 Cotton Bowl, one of College Football's most prestigious bowl games.
The band will perform in the halftime activities during the Cotton Bowl as well as a host of other events as part of a three-day festival of music.
|
|
The band also competed in last year's U.S. Army National Band Competition in San Antonio.
The trip is expected to cost about $50,000 for a total of approximately 120 students, or about $600 per student, which East St. John band director Joe Torregano said will be raised primarily through various fundraisers.
“We've got a concert scheduled, and oldies dance, and a golf tournament,” Torregano said.
“Anything that can't be raised will be covered by the student out of pocket.”
Torregano returned to teach in St. John after an 18-year stint with the New Orleans public school system. In the three years since his return, the East St. John band has won 16 awards but Torregano has no intention of slowing down.
“I'm hoping to eventually get us in to the Rose Bowl or the Macy's Thanksgiving parades,” Torregano said.
So far the band has managed to raise $4,000 from local businesses for the Cotton Bowl trip but are still actively seeking donations.
Anyone willing to contribute can contact East St. John High at (985) 536-4226 or Torregano at (504) 452-8946.
Comments
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The L'Observateur is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in The L'Observateur reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of L'Observateur. L'Observateur does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized L'Observateur spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!