MUKILTEO — Kamiak High School’s show band did what comes naturally to thank the community for helping it get new uniforms.
It played last Thursday evening in the front of the school before marching through the neighborhoods to share its appreciation.
Getting new threads for more than 200 musicians is a major undertaking.
It takes time, money and patience.
“You don’t get a chance to do this very often,” said Keith Rittel, Kamiak’s principal.
The marching band had the same uniforms since the school opened in 1993, and efforts were made to blend parts of its traditional look into a new design, said Lori Smart, a parent booster of the band program.
“We’ve had nothing but great responses,” said Toby Bathurst, the school’s band director.
Over the years, the show band has performed each year at every high school football game, in parades and in marching band competitions.
It wore the uniforms at the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ireland, President Clinton’s inauguration, the Festival of Lights in Paris and for opening day of the Mariners at Safeco Field.
A team of band directors, school staff, parents and students designed the new look, trying to adopt a more contemporary style while maintaining aspects of the old uniform. More than $56,000 was raised over the past year. Key contributors were the Kamiak Associated Student Body, the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, the Tulalip Tribes, and families and friends of show band students.
Over the weekend, the band was marching in its new uniforms in Port Townsend and in Victoria, B.C.
“The uniforms look spectacular and the parents’ fundraising was invaluable and so were the donations from the school ASB program,” Rittel said.
Herald photographer Darren Breen contributed to this story.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
