HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1985-11-27, Page 3NEWS AND FEATURES
Everyone loves a parade
BY HEATHER MelLW RAITH
Everyone loves a parade, especially when
it's full of marching bands.
The Seaforth District High School Girls
Marching Band dates back to 1950 when the
idea was made a reality by Lawrence
Plumsteel, then principal of the local high
school. George Hildebrand was also an
integral part of the bands formation. He
served as its conductor for some 15 years.
But of late the band has been taken
somewhat for granted, The fact it is still in
existence is indicative of the character of
the youth in and around Seaforth. It is the
only high school marching band still in
existence in Southwestern Ontario.
"There has to be a real commitment to the
band," said Charlie Kalbfleisch, the band's
director since 1978.
"There is far more time put into it than any
other sport or extra curricular activity, and
it's all outside of regular school hours."
Mr. Kalbfleisch has 25 years experience
with bands. During that time he has himself
been with six er seven bands, and has
directed three or four of them. The head of
the history department at the Goderich
District Vocational institute, Mr. Kalbfleisch
was instrumental in developing that school's
music program.
Sponsored in part by the Huron County
Board of Education the band travels all over
Southwestern Ontario during the year, and
participates in anywhere from 25 to 30
parades. From now until the end of December
it is booked solid, expected to play in a
minimum of one parade, sometimes two,
every weekend.
While it is sponsored by the board of
education, Mr. Kalbfleisch said any money
the band receives is generally used for the
maintenance and repair of the band instru-
ments. A 65 -piece ensemble, Mr. Kalbfleisch
estimated the band owns approximately
$30 -$40 -thousand worth of equipment.
Most of the band's other bills are paid for
by the band itself with the money it earns
playing in the parades, or with money raised
by its booster club, an organization of
'enthusiastic parents and friends of the band
members. The largest cost is transportation.
Assisting Mr. Kalbfleisch in the direction
of the band is Seaforth's Charles Wood. He
performs a number of duties, one of which is
to take care of the instruments.
Also this yeartheband has hired a drum
instructor from Durham to teach the
drummers some new and up-to-date beats.
Sue Fleischman was the head drummer of the
Durham Girls Marching band, which folded
last year because of financial problems.
"That we can operate this (the band) in a
little school is a miracle," said Mr.
Kalbfleisch.
"A lot of the larger towns and cities are
finding they can't afford to keep their bands
going, yet we can. We even run parades in
the summer, which is amazing."
Mr. Kalbfleisch attributed part of the
band's success to the parental commitment.
"We've got some pretty darn good
parents. They're always driving the kids to
practice (one, sometimes two times a week),
then getting them out to the parades. It's a lot
of running," he said.
All in all Mr. Kalbfleisch said the band is
well supported, but added it could have more
support from the Town of Seaforth, which, he
said gets a lot of publicity by way of the band.
"The administration at the high school
gives us a lot of support, and the school board
is very reinforcing, but we don't quite get the
We don't quite get the support
from the town
same support from the town that the sports
teams do," he said.
"And that's too bad because we probably
do more advertising for this town than any
other organization."
In the past the band has carried their music
and the Seaforth name not only to various
parts of Ontario, but to other provinces of
Canada as well. It has also been to the United
States.
In 1982 the band was present at the Calgary
Stampede and competed against bands from
California and North Dakota and other parts
of the United States. And while it didn't'win
the competition it scored an 8.5 out of 10
score, what Mr. Kalbfleisch recognizes as a
"very good score."
The band has been in Myrtle Beach three
times :1981, 1983 and 1984) and while there
has played in its Convention Hall, Shopping
Center, and Town Hall.
In March of this year (1985) the band was in
Florida where it played in Cypress Gardens
and Sea World.
In February 1986 the band is invited to
what is termed, "the best competition in the
United States - the Thomas Edison Pageant of
lights in North Fort Myers, Florida.
Fifteen of the top bands across the United
States and Canada have beeninvited to
participate in a field drill and parade
competition. The field drill will take place in a
football stadium with a capacity to hold
10,000. The band will parade down a street in
front of the town's yacht basin.
"They (Fort Myers) have the second best
parade in Florida, first is the Orange Bowl,
said Mr. Kalbfleisch.
"It draws about 50,000 and takes place at
night, so all the floats are lit up. The 15 bands
there for the competition will be in the parade
along with 45 others from all over Florida. It
(the parade) will be televised all 'over the
state.
The 1986 trip to North Fort Myers will be
the third to that town for the Seaforth band, It
was there in 1976 and 1980. The band
members will be billeted with members of the
North Fort Myers high school band.
But because the trip is in February, 'and not
during the school break, Mr. Kalbfleisch said
there has been some negative reaction to the
trip. This, he said, is unwarranted, since in
total the band members will be missing very
little time in comparison with other school
groups.
"It's been a controversial issue," he said.
"But if you take a look at the sports players
the band members are actually losing less
time. This trip will be less disruptive than all
the time lost by sports players. Plus we have
the cooperation of the staff here and it is the
start of the second term. Therefore it's not as
bad as if we were taking time off at the end of
a term."
Mr. Kalbfleisch added the trip is not going
to be a holiday as some people think, but a lot
of hard work for the girls.
"The girls will have to practice daily to get
ready for the competitions," he said.
"We've only practiced in a little gym here
and we'll be performing on a football field
down there."
in preparation for the trip the band is
attempting to make new uniforms, a task it
expects could cost as much as $3,800, despite
the fact volunteers will be making them.
The current uniforms are 18 -years -old,
having been purchased in 1967. Mr.
Kalbfleisch said the band is not changing the
style or color of the uniforms much, but added
it is time for something new.
The band itself is made up of girls aged 13
to 18 years, The majority of the students
attend the Seaforth high school but others
come from the surrounding municipalities.
Still others are Grade 8 students from
surrounding public schools who are being
introduced as rookies to the band with the
hope they'll continue with it when they enter
high school.
"It helps in the socialization of the kids.
They get to know some senior. kids before
they even get to high school so are more
comfortable when they get there," said Mr.
Kalbfleisch,
in general the band adheres to a theme, of
helping young people develop into adults. By
being part of. the band the members learn a
bit about responsibility.
In further. support of the band the Seaforth
high school. will introduce an instrumental
(Continued on page A16)
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 27, 1985 — A3
DRUMMING UP A STORM — of support Is what the Seaforth Girls School Band is trying to
do.• The band, the last of its kind In southwestern Ontario travels around the province.
EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE — The Seaforth Girls School Band
year. And'wherever they go they leave behind a good feeling about
will be taking their show on the road for most of the weekends of the the Town of Seaforth.
Seaforth District High School tired of chocolate bar. sale
in this day and age everybody is searching
for a way to make money. and Seaforth
District High School students are no
exception.
But they've grown tired and think the
public has too of the conventional chocolate
bar sales, sponsor sheets and other means of
fundraising often employed. by educational
institutions. So they're resurrecting a fund-
raising idea from their past. On December 6
they will be hosting a carnival - but one a little
different from others.
"We think it's more appealing than
oranges and grapefruits." said physical
education teacher Terry Johnston.
The carnival will of course, still feature
such standbys as fish ponds. rummage sales,
sponge throwing, games of chance and other
attractions often associated with carnivals,
but it will have some unique features as well.
Among them will be an English Tea Room
run by Don Burton, an exchange teacher from
British Columbia: an arts and crafts sale: a
woodworking raffle: a penny sale with goods
provided by area merchants. a baby photo-
graph contest among the teachers, carica-
tures drawn by teacher Anne Robinson and a
celebrity auction.
The entire carnival has been greeted with
enthusiasm, and an enthusiasm which has
surprised the school's teachers and students.
"it's amazing the cooperation we've been
getting." said Todd James vice-president of
the Student Council.
"Everyone is pitching in and doing their
fair share. It's not like the normal fundraising
events."
I guess it's successful because you're not
nut in the public eye so much and because it's
organized so well." added Jeff McGavin.
president of the Student Council.
"When you sell things you're pretty much
on your own. This is a group thing and the
whole school is involved Everything is done
behind the scenes until the final day, thenvou
get to see the results. it's more fun."
An example of how well the event has been
taken is exemplified in the bake sale. It has
unofficially turned into a bake -off. The Grade
13 students have challenged all the other
grades to the point that carnival organizers
expect to receive baked goods from virtually
every student in the school. That could
account to 350 entries.
Another area where students have come
together is in the Celebrity Auction. Approxi-
mately 200 letters were written to famous
entertainers, sports and otherwise. telling
them of the school's objective to raise funds.
and requesting a ntentetitu it in turn could
auction off at the carnival. Some of the
articles they have received al the school
because of the letters include autographed
photographs, tickets to sports events, t -shirts
and a pair of autographed size 14 basketball
shoes.
"Fundraising is a big problem with a
school this size." said Mr. Johnston, "but
the kids don't really see this as fundraising.
They see it more as a school event."
"It really did a lot for school spirit when it
was done before and it's really doing a lot for
school spirit now. it's getting people involved
who normal] wouldn't et involved."
BIG SHOES — Seaforth high school teacher Linda Walsh exhibits a pair of size 14 basketball
shoes that will be auctioned off at a carnival December 6. (Mcllwraith photo)
Catholic high school will have little impact
The opening of a Catholic high school in
Perth County next year will have a "fairly
minimal': impact on public high schools in
the county.
Paul Parlee, chairman of the Perth County
hoard of education's separate school funding
committee, doesn't see a local Catholic high
school effecting Stratford's Central' or North-
western secondary schools.
He did concede the Catholic high school
proposed by the Huron -Perth Roman Catho-
lic separate school board could be the "cause
for concern" at St. Marys DCVI and Mitchell
District High School.
Mr. Parlee said the per pupil cost could rise
at these two schools which already have more
teachers than required by the number of
students, These schools have extra staff so
some courses can continue to be offered.
"i don't see them collapsing though." said
Mr Par•lee.
In fact. he expects one student from each
class may choose to attend St, Michael's, the
a
l athohc hign This woulo nave tittle
impact he says.
The committee chairman released the
school board's impact statement at its
November 19 meeting. This impact state-
ment will be sent to the provincial planning
and implementation commission.
"We're doing it under protest." said Mr.
Parlee because the board says there is no
valid legislation in place to provide full
funding to Catholic schools.
Trustee Don Crowley of RR 2, Gadshill.
representative of Catholic ratepayers on the
public board, criticized the report for failing
to offer accommodation at either of the two
high schools in Stratford.
"The public board doesn't have complete
and sole ownership of these schools." said
Mr. Crowley noting Catholic taxpayers have
contributed to all the high schools in Perth
County.
Director of education Paul Sherratt said the
accommodation nuestion referred to a whole
wing of a school being taken over by a
Catholic high school.
"i can't concieve of that space being freed
up." said Mr. Sherratt.
Mr Parlee added he understands the
Catholic school board would like to build its
own high school by 1989.
The Huron -Perth Roman Catholic school
hoard expects 350 students to be enrolled in
its high school by 1989. Mr. Parlee suggested
perhaps 200 would come from the two
Stratford high schools and the rest would
come from the county.
The impact statement indicates there will
he a loss of about 35 teachers by 1989 in
relation to that figure. overall student
enrolment at Perth high schools is expected
to drop from 4,425 to 3,830 students. a
difference of 595.
The public school board has said it will
cooperate with the Catholic school board and
teacher federations on the transferring of
students
And the carnival is catching on outside the
school as well.
Organizerssaid local merchants have been
very receptive to the idea and have donated
quite a number of articles for the penny sale.
"That's where it's great being a small
community," said Mr. Johnston.
"The. merchants and everyone have really
pulled together to help us with this. We've
had very few refusals and i know we'll be a hit
with everything that's going."
The carnival will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and
6:30 to 9 p.m. on December 6 with the
afternoon geared more towards kids and
the night geared more towards.families.
The school has arranged for a bus to
transport senior citizens to the carnival and
students from the Seaforth Public School and
St. James Separate School have been invited
to attend.
AdmisSion is $1, but upon entry each
person will receive four 25 cent tokens which
they are invited to spend at one of the booths
or at one of the events No game is priced over
25 cents. There will he no cash sales and
additional tokens can he purchased after
entry to the carnival
At this point organizers said it is difficult to
estimate how much money they will take in at
the carnival but said it could be a substantial
amount, mainly because of the support the
students and community have given the
event. The last time the carnival was held the
school made $2,000 and it is hoping to make a
similar amount this year
Money raised in these fundraising endea
yours has in the past been used to pay for
such things as student activities. referees and
tournaments, yearbook work. a new sound
system. audio-visual equipment and to
sponsor foster children.
But despite the amount of munethe
carnival could raise, organizers said it has
been worth it to see everyone working
together towards one end
"All the staff is involved, and all the
students which is a real plus And to see
them, the staff and the students anrktnu
together is an extra plus." said Mr
Johnston
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
If you're organizing a non-profit event of Interest to other Seaforth area residents,
phone the recreation office at 527-0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240 or mail the
Information to Community Calendar, The Huron Expositor, Box 69. Seaforth,
Ontario NOK 'WO well in advance of the scheduled date.
Space for the Community Calendar is donated by The Huron Expositor
Wednesday, November 27
1.3 p.m. Parents and Tots Skating
1:30.4 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard
4:30.5:30 p.m. Ringette Practice
5:30-6:30 p.m. Midget Practice
6:30.7:30 p.m. Minor Broomball
7:308:30 p m. C'entenaires Practice
8:45 p.m. Ladies Bmnmhall
Thursday, November 28
4:15-5:15 p m. Atom Practice
5.15-6:15 p.m. Bantam Practice
6:30-7:30 Minor Broomball
710-8:30 Mens Bmnmhall
Friday, November 29
4-5 p in Sr Houseleague Practice
5.6 p.m lr Houseleague Practice
6.9 p m Noti•ice Tournament
Saturday, November 30
I p m Santa Claus Parade commencing
from Arena
Sam - 9 pm No%ice Tournament
Sunday, December 1
1-5 p m Novice Tournament
7 p m Canadians vs Flyers
8:30 p m Hawks vs Rangers
3 p m SI Thomas Anglican 4'hurch.
Jarvis St . Choral Evensong and ('host
max Pageant with the right Rev Demyn
D Jones. bishop of Huron. officiating
p.m Parish potluck supper and children's
part v
Monday, December 2
4 :10.8 :10 Figure Skating
Tuesday, December 3
5 30-6.30 Novice Practice
6 30-8 Atom Practice
815.10 Bantam vs Arthur
8.10 p m Harmony Hi-lAtes at i'tihlic
School
Do you have a meeting, game or special event planned for the near future'? If so let
us know so we can inform the public. It's difficult to find out what's happening
unless you're willing to keep us informed. The community calendar is an eight-day
timetable of non-profit events going on in the community Let's keep each other on
'top of things.
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