Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– As Park Foresters weather the August heat, Rich East Band members are dreaming of a Memphis winter.
The band, which performed Saturday at Ash Street Cooperative’s block party, is hoping for the chance to perform at the Liberty Bowl. The game is scheduled for January 2, 2009. Band members hope the Rich Township High School District 227 Board of Education will give favorable consideration to their proposal to attend the game when they meet this Tuesday.
Band Director Dwayne Sanders is hoping for administrative and district support, “We’re hoping to go. We haven’t been approved as of yet, but hopefully those things that administrators do will all work out.”
Sanders played a marching trombone with the band on Saturday, “Oftentimes we’re short on horns, and so sometimes I’ll have to jump in on trumpet or trombone.”
“We’re hoping to go,” said tuba player Ugo Ibe. Ibe has been playing the tuba for two years.
Senior Sean Cameron is looking forward the trip as well — and graduation, “Hopefully I’ll go to college this year,” he said. Cameron plays the French horn and trumpet.
Ash Street resident Will Steppes is president of the Band Parent Boosters. He is hoping for strong support from the residents of Park Forest, “We’re looking forward to seeing all of Park Forest come out to wish these young men and women their love so they can have a good time.”
Steppes estimates the cost of taking the Rich East Band to Memphis will be somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000.
“We appreciate all donations,” Steppes said.
The band is currently about 40 members strong. Approximately half of the band appeared on Ash Street Saturday. Others were involved in fall sports programs.
Members of the Rich East High School Band perform on Ash Street
Saturday. (Photo: ENEWSPF)
