XBC Impact Story: Xavier Band

Over the last 20 years, the Xavier Booster Club has raised and allocated more than $1.2 million in support of academic, athletic and fine art activities. Annually each spring, coaches submit a request to the Xavier Activities Director for the Booster Club to consider supporting. Funds allocated are from dollars raised through the concessions stands, membership, NFL Raffle and program sales.

By: Anna Schenkel (X21) New uniforms help take home the win. The Xavier Marching Band has accomplished things that have never been done before. At Bands Across the Prairie, the Xavier Marching Band received first place for the first time in school history but their achievements did not stop there. During the State Marching Band Festival, the band went on to get a highest score of 83.5 and their seventh consecutive Division I rating. At these competitions, the band performed for five hours but their day started even earlier with rehearsals at Xavier before traveling to their competition locations. On average, the 77 person marching band rehearses several times a week.

Band Director Kelli Swehla believes the Xavier Marching Band now looks as sharp as they sound. Last year, the hard working Marching Saints received new uniforms funded by the Xavier Booster Club and Dancing with the Saints. The uniforms cost over four hundred dollars a piece; making the total 2018 purchase cost well over $50,000. The uniforms include pants, tops, gauntlets and hats.

“After using our former marching band uniforms, it was definitely time for a change,” said Swehla. “The new uniforms have been fantastic on multiple levels. Not only do they look more modern, sharper and fit better but they are much easier for the band parents to fit students.”

She also commented on how this is the first time that they have enough uniforms to fit all their members and how this would not have been made possible without the Booster Club.

Drum Major Avery Arens appreciated the Booster Club’s contribution, as well, and its impact overall on the band and its members. “After using our former marching band uniforms, which were 20 years old, it was definitely time for a change. I’m super appreciative of the new uniforms because they give a great look on the field and make the band even more memorable,” said Arens.

The Booster Club also provided funds most recently for an EB clarinet to be used in the coming years by different students. The EB clarinet will aid the band program as they prepare for competitions and select music.

“This instrument is used occasionally in concert band literature,” said Swehla. “If a student makes All-State on the clarinet, there’s a chance they would need to use it.”

Whether it be new uniforms or new instruments, the Xavier Booster Club continues to support the band and other Xavier activities to better the school’s programs. The Marching Saints made their last official halftime show appearance on Friday, October 18 and performed a special Halloween show on Friday, October 25.

 

If you are interested in joining the Xavier Booster Club, please click on the link below – 100% of your membership fee will be used to support Xavier High School.

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