COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – The University of South Carolina (USC) Marching Band needs your help to bring more than 375 of its members to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November.
Audra Vaz, associate dean for continuing education at the USC School of Music, told WIS that travel, room and board costs of $1,500 per student will be incurred, and 35 faculty and support staff will also travel.
The costs are especially high because the band – the largest student organization on campus – has to plan the Clemson game two days after the parade, Vaz explained.
“The students will be on the road for a full week,” said Vaz. “With transportation, accommodation, food and other expenses, the total cost for 400 people is $650,000. We’ve raised about half of that so far, so time is of the essence!”
The parade’s costs are not covered by the regular budget, and Vaz said only 20% of band students study music.
Their budget is set for football matches and other regular appearances.
“An invitation to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the national championship for marching bands and an incredible honor,” said Vaz. “This is the first time in the band’s 104-year history that they have been invited and therefore is not a normal one-off that we or any other band expects.”
How can you help the band raise the rest of the funds for the trip?
Vaz said you can go to their crowdfunding page here.
There are other ways to raise money too.
“We currently have an online auction where people can donate and have unique experiences like marching in and sitting next to the band at a home game, singing the fight song at the pep rally at Gamecock Park, or even watching one of our favorite band alumni, Chief Meteorologist Adam Clark, at WIS10!” Vaz said.
You can access the auction site here.
Vaz also added that there are sponsorship opportunities that also come with some great benefits and that individuals or companies can contact her for more information: [email protected]
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