The need to replace 20+ year old Marching Band uniforms
Hutchinson Music Boosters (who are made up of parent volunteers of students who are currently enrolled in Choir and Band) are undertaking in an attempt to secure new Marching Band uniforms for the upcoming marching season. Marching Band is part the Hutchinson High School Sports activities but sadly has been bypassed/overlooked over the last 20 years to receive funding for new uniforms (average uniform life is 7 years), while other sports teams are budgeted to get new uniforms every 3-5 years.
The Music Boosters have done a fabulous job, in maintaining these uniforms (such as stitching, sewing and hemming), unfortunately there is not much wear left in these uniforms to continue their use. The Music Boosters currently run the football concession stand, have student fundraisers and have received cash donations. These activities do not have enough of a budget to purchase the much needed uniforms at a cost of $76,000.00 to outfit the Marching Band that is over 100 members strong, and for the accompanying Color Guard Wardrobes and Flags.
Our current uniforms have to be dry cleaned which nets an annual cost of about $3,000.00. Which means that the students are forced to wear a sweaty, dirty uniform throughout the Marching Season. With that said, the new uniforms can be machine washed before the next parade at a cost of mere pennies compared to dry cleaning.