Drilling for Dollars

The drill team, twirlers and marching band members at West Covina High School don’t want to do their routines and play their tunes in tatters.

The 102 students who don the school’s burgundy and gold colors as members of the band and color guard have a record of first-, second- and third-place awards in field tournaments, band reviews and parades this year.

What these students don’t have is updated equipment, instruments and uniforms.

Raising at least part of the $40,000 needed to bring those trappings up to their performance level is the goal of the “Holiday Classic ‘93” field tournament Tuesday. For instance, the youths need 150 garment bags, which cost $7 apiece, and new flags to replace the old ones. They hope to eventually get new instruments as well, particularly drums and tubas (many of the tuba mouthpieces are held together with duct tape).

A third of the band members own their own instruments, but there are not enough school-owned instruments to encourage potential members who cannot afford their own, said Marian Friedland, publicity chair for the band.

“It’s not exactly rags to riches, but they do need new uniforms,” she added.

Moreover, extra funds would help pay for musical instructors and to rent buses for trips. Now most of the members car-pool, Friedland said.

At least 10 other high school bands and drill teams representing schools from such communities as Glendora, Baldwin Park and San Diego will strut their stuff beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thyberg Field, at Lark Ellen and Cameron Avenues, on the West Covina campus. They will compete in 15-minute performances, where they will be judged on everything from music to movement to the shine on the tips of their shoes, organizers say.

“It’s almost like a Broadway show,” Friedland said.

Refreshment stands will offer a full menu of the typical picnic fare--hot dogs, pizza, sodas, chili. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens. Children younger than 5 will be admitted free.

Information: (818) 966-7571.