The Franklin High Band is asking for help from the community to provide additional uniforms needed to outfit the 2015-16 marching band. This season’s Franklin High School Marching Band is projected to grow from 206 to nearly 250 members. This will require another 40 uniforms in order to be able to accommodate the expanding membership.
Beginning on March 1st, The Franklin Band will conduct a MARCH ON MARCH CHALLENGE with the goal of acquiring the funds to purchase one new uniform each day in the month of March. Citizens, businesses, civic organizations, alumni and friends of The Franklin Band can make a tax-deductible donation of $370 for an entire new uniform or may choose to help purchase a particular element or two — $20 for a plume, $30 for a breastplate, $40 for gauntlets, $50 for a shako (hat), $60 for bibbers (pants) or $170 for a jacket. Donations by credit card can be made via the band’s website at www.thefranklinband.org or checks can be sent to Franklin High School Band Boosters, 2200 Fieldstone Parkway, #900, PMB 100, Franklin, TN 37069.
In December, The Franklin Band became the first Williamson County band to receive the prestigious Sudler Shield, awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Sudler Shield purpose is to establish and support international standards of excellence in musical performance, marching execution, choreography and show design for high school, youth or international marching bands and to identify, recognize, and honor outstanding high school, youth and international marching bands who are at a world class level of excellence.
Franklin High joins three other schools across the nation to receive the award in 2014. They are one of only five Tennessee bands ever to win the award. Professor W. Dale Warren, Director of Bands at the University of Arkansas, will be in attendance at The Franklin Band’s spring concert to officially present the award.
In addition, Franklin Band Director David Aydelott received the Legion of Honor Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in December. The Legion of Honor recognizes outstanding band directors who have maintained school concert band programs of excellent musical quality for a period of at least 20 years and who have held important positions of leadership in their professional organizations in dedicated service to bands.
Most recently, it was announced that Mr. Aydelott has been selected for induction into the MTSU Band of Blue Hall of Fame. Since 1980, the Band of Blue Alumni Club has recognized individuals who have contributed and influenced the growth of the MTSU Band of Blue. The induction ceremony will be Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 7:30 pm in the Wright Music Building on the campus of MTSU.
