Australia-Bound Band Members Struggle to Scare Up Cash

After a summer of uncertainty, wondering if they would be allowed to attend the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Kennedy High School’s marching band is now scrambling to raise money to attend the Games.

Last summer the La Palma band was given permission to participate in the opening ceremonies when Olympic organizers reversed an earlier decision to exclude Kennedy, along with several other marching bands from Orange County and the nation.

The 145 musicians who make up Kennedy’s marching band have each already raised $1,400 of the estimated $3,000 the 17-day trip Down Under would cost. Parents will pay the balance in March and June.

But the high price has forced some band members to withdraw.

So far, 20 of Kennedy’s most experienced musicians have decided not to attend the ceremonies because they simply didn’t have the extra money.

“It’s not going to be a case where the most talented ones are going to go,” Kennedy musician Paul Bennett said. “It’s probably going to be the ones who have the most money.”

Bennett said experienced band members are needed because they help calm nervous younger band members, making them less likely to freeze up during a performance.

Bennett said the players who opted out more than likely need the money for college.

Diane Patterson, head of publicity for the Kennedy band, hopes donations from businesses and residents will make it easier for all the musicians to make the trip.

Last week the City Council voted to give the band $16,000 toward the trip. Organizers estimate the cost of room and board for 145 students and 20 chaperons at more than $500,000.

The City Council challenged Buena Park and Cypress, which have residents in the band, to match its $16,000 donation.

The band itself has embarked on a massive fund-raiser. Hats, commuter mugs and mouse pads are available, along with an official Olympic 2000 jacket.

The band has even established a Web site, https://www.kennedyband.com, showing where people can donate money. So far the school has raised $45,000.

Andre Briscoe can be reached at (714) 966-5848.