Dixon Band Boosters to Hold Fundraiser at Spring Band Concert

 

BAND BOOSTERS TO HOST FUNDRAISER AT SPRING BAND CONCERT

By

Vicki L Bishop

There will be a fundraiser for the band program at the spring concert, April 30, 2025, beginning at 7:00 pm and sponsored by the Dixon Band Boosters.  The event will take place at Dixon High School.

As some of you understand, the band program has dwindled in the last few years and is now being revitalized.  Band enrollment fell to less than 10 students a few short years ago. Unfortunately, the program was not just short on enrollment, but much of the equipment and supplies have been depleted or are older and in need of replacement. 

Dixon has a rich history in music and is very proud of the musicians it has produced.   The band program in totality has been a strong and successful for many of its years in existence, however now it needs your help.  You can make a difference.   

I asked our current band director, Cameron Taylor, what he would like to accomplish.  His response without hesitation was “Let’s bring back the glory days”.  Rebuilding can be tough—but this former United States Marine is up for the task. 

Mr. Taylor is a graduate of Iberia High School.  He was also in the United States Marine Corps Band for 8 years and has previously taught one year at Richland.  He said that when he was a student in Iberia, he was part of a band program that was dwindling in enrollment, and he experienced 7 band directors in 8 years.   He understands how important it is to keep the momentum that Dixon’s now former director PJ Fletcher began just four short years ago.   Currently, the high school band enrollment is 23 with a total school enrollment of 90. 

In chatting with Mr. Taylor, I noticed a red “RW” written on the white board behind his podium.  I asked him what it meant.  He said that on his predecessor’s first day, he wrote the “RW” on the board and told the students it stood for welcome to the ‘real world’.  Mr. Taylor has left that there as a reminder to the students. 

Not that I disagree at all with the quote, but it reminded me that no matter how much we try to shelter our children sooner or later they will run smack dab into the real world.  In this case, it is the real situation that our children attend a rural school district with limited funds that is not able to enrich all of its programs the way we might hope.

I encourage you all to take a seat and watch as these amazing students step up and do their part to bring back the glory days to the band program.  There are so many long term and even life-long benefits to being involved in instrumental music education.  Music is a universal language and being skilled at music can open professional prospects and community involvement at almost any age.  The social, physical, mental and intellectual benefits of music are undisputed.

What were the glory days?  From Mrs. Elkins to Mr. Rogers to Miss Cantrell to Mr. Porter to Mr. Appleton and many others, the Dixon band program was known all over the state.  In regular occurrence, Dixon won awards for marching and concert band as well as Jazz Band.  The Jazz Band in the 80s served as house band for several consecutive years at the annual high school basketball state championships.  Around 1985, high school band enrollment was around110—and that would include auxiliary corps.  In 1986, the high school marching band appeared at the Cirtus Bowl Parade in Florida. Around 1979 the band marched in the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC with a enrollment of 110 members.   How were those programs so successful?  Students that were willing to work hard, a band director who cared, parents and band boosters that worked hard to support them, and a community that loved to watch them perform.  A simple recipe for success.  That success is what Cameron Taylor hopes to bring back to our community.

 

How the Fundraiser Will Work

 

Several tables and booths will be set up just outside of the concert area.  Each table will have photos or likenesses of various items that are essential for the band, along with the cost of each item.  A table will also be set up for payment and cash donations.

Please join us at the spring concert on April 30, 2025 at 7:00 pm!

 

For more information regarding Band Boosters, contact Mrs. Joni Wilson 573-512-2041. 

"The Glory days happen one day at a time, one rehearsal at a time.  Make today's rehearsal better than yesterdays and tomorrow will be better than today.  It's all about attitude. Have fun and learn something everyday!"  ~Chuck Appleton