The Thomas Dale Marching Knights perform here during a football game this past fall. The marching band is currently conducting a fundraising drive to purchase new uniforms, some of which are over 10 years old.

Few people wear clothes that they bought a decade years ago. However, students in the marching band program at Thomas Dale have to do just that with many of their uniforms at least 10 years old.

“Some of our uniforms are frankly too old, too worn, or too tattered to alter anymore,” says Tami Schoepflin, Band Boosters President at Thomas Dale. “Make no mistake, we are very grateful for continued support from our school administration, but maintaining, equipping, and advancing a top-quality band program requires resources beyond the School Board’s contribution.”

In a push to update their band wardrobe, the Thomas Dale Marching Band program has launched a community fundraising effort. For this phase, the group mailed out solicitations to Chester-area businesses for contributions and the opportunity to purchase advertisements in a community calendar that the Band Boosters will distribute to Chester residents later this year.

“We’ve done a calendar for years,” says David Holley, Band Director at Thomas Dale. “The kids will go door to door in the fall and pass the calendars out, asking for donations. For each donation over $20, we will do some sort of community service.”

Specialized garments, band uniforms usually cost approximately $450 to $500 for the entire ensemble. To completely re-outfit the entire band, the program needs to raise $45,000.
“The first thing that we are looking at replacing is the jackets,” says Holley. “Ideally, it would be nice to be able to replace the entire uniforms at once, but I am a realist. If we can’t raise as much money as we need, we will replace the uniforms in phases.”

While it would be normal for any band program to look for new uniforms after 10 years, the need at Thomas Dale is even more pressing considering the growth in the program. When Holley started at the school three years ago, approximately 90 students were in the marching band program. Since then, they have nearly doubled, with 150 students participating last fall.
“The program has just grown so quickly,” says Holley. “We expect another 30 percent growth in the upcoming fall marching season. In more ways than one, we’re ‘bursting at the seams.’”

Despite the need for new uniforms, the marching band continues with their regular performance schedule. During the marching season, the band plays at a number of venues, including at the Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Chesterfield County Courthouse, the Chester Christmas parade, and all of the school’s home football games. In addition, they have also participated in three county tournaments and the state tournament this season, earning a superior rating at each competition. Their next performance will be the spring concert on May 2 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Thomas Dale.

“We are thrilled to have earned the coveted Virginia Honor Band status again this year,” says Holley. “For the past three years in a row, our Marching Knights have earned the highest possible superior ratings from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association. We are also the only group in the district to play Grade Six music, the most difficult level.”

This phase of the fundraising effort will end on May 1, with calendars expected to be distributed the second weekend of September. Businesses and individuals that want more information about the campaign can email Thomas Dale Band Directors Holley and Steven Barton at david_holley@ccpsnet.net and steven_barton@ccpsnet.net.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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