Go west, young band

A somber quiet crept over the field as band director Ron Pence cleared his voice. Members of the Homewood High School Band assumed a dreadful announcement would follow.

But junior clarinet player Caroline Duncan said in that moment she couldn’t lie to herself – she already knew this was it.

The Star Spangled Girls began passing out roses and Pence cued the music. Katy Perry’s “California Girls” began blasting in the background. Pence announced the marching band had been invited to the 125th Tournament of the Roses, and Duncan became one of the 354 cheers erupting on the field that afternoon.

“I was happy,” said Duncan. “Everyone was so excited.”

Pence reveled in their celebration but knew the hard part had just begun. He glanced at the other directors, Chris Cooper and Terrance Cobb, who shared his quiet smile. How were they ever going to get more than 350 teenagers and a slew of parental chaperones from Homewood to Pasadena, Calif.?

Pence turned back to the high-fiving and instrument-bellowing group in front of him and let out a laugh. He knew it would be just fine. At this point, he’s practically an expert.

The Tournament of the Roses is a New Years Day Parade viewed by more than 5 million people in more than 200 countries. It features bands from Alabama to Alaska to Japan. The Patriots have appeared in the parade three times, most recently in 2009.

To fund this expedition across the country, members of the Homewood community have stood up to ensure everyone gets to go. After all, the band makes up a massive part of Homewood’s identity. It’s the largest high school band in the state of Alabama, boasting more than 350 members in a student body of approximately 1,000. 

To help Homewood reach its funding goals, R. Scott Jenkins, president of the 125th Tournament of the Roses Parade, will visit Homewood from Wednesday,  Aug. 28-Saturday, Aug. 31. He plans to meet the band, learn more about the city and attend Homewood’s March to the Roses Gala on Thursday, Aug. 29.

“I’m looking forward to visiting them and learning more about the community down there,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said he is excited to see the Patriot band perform live, complimenting its style and expertise and calling attention to the uniforms he dubbed “extraordinary.”

“They have that three-cornered hat that makes them quite unique,” he said.

While Jenkins is here, he will attend various attractions in the area. The Little Donkey and GianMarcos will supply meals for Jenkins’ stay. He will tour Homewood schools and meet local leaders including Mayor Scott McBrayer and Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland.

On Thursday, Jenkins will explore Tuscaloosa and take tour of the athletic facility and stadium at The University of Alabama, his father’s alma mater.

Jenkins has been with the tournament for 31 years and on the track to fill this year’s presidency since 2006.

It is his responsibility to choose a theme and a Grand Marshal for the 2014 parade as well as formally welcome each band to the Tournament of Roses. He plans to do so in Homewood Friday, Aug. 30 at when Homewood plays Vestavia Hills High in football.

While in town, Jenkins’ biggest appearance will be the March to the Roses Gala presented by the Patriot Band’s Booster mothers on Aug. 29.

The goal for the Gala is to raise $75,000 by holding a live and a silent auction. The event will feature adult beverages, heavy hors d’oeuvre catered by All Around Town and a drum line performance. It will be held at SoHo’s Rosewood Hall from 6-9 p.m. Ticket cost is $40.

The $75,000 figure supplements some of the nearly $1,800 per-person cost of travelling to Pasadena for the Tournament of the Roses. With more than 400 planning to make the trip, total cost could approach $700,000.

Members of the band are inviting the entire city to the event.

“It’s our opportunity to show off the South and our great community,” Cooper said. “We want all the old band students, their parents and all of Homewood to come out and relive when their kids got to go through this.”

The silent auction features donations from around Homewood and more such as a backyard pig roast from The Little Donkey. The Donkey will bring a whole pig, a spit, sides and servers to your backyard to put on a whole party for you – then clean up after.

To name a few more: the Alabama Booksmith donated a signed copy of My Reading Life by Pat Conroy; aLoft, a night’s stay; Michael’s, a dinner; Gary Asher Drum School, a five-piece drum set signed by drummers from the bands from Cher to Pink, Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Marie Presley, Alabama, Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley also includes a three-month one-on-one drum lessons. D1 Fitness contributed a one-year membership; Barber Motorsports, an inside tour of the Barber Motorsports Park for four; and LeeAnne McCully, a painting.

“A lot of the Homewood business have stepped up to help us with this,” Pence said. “We’ve got a lot of people in the community working to make this a real special Homewood event, Birmingham event and a state of Alabama event. It puts us all on the international stage.”

As the representatives behind the Jenkins’ visit begin finalizing his trip, Pence, Cooper and their team are just beginning.

A four-day band camp ran in July to choreograph the halftime show, and rehearsals are scheduled to resume to a couple of days a week as the semester begins.

“It’s very important we rehearse with a purpose,” Pence said.

Duncan anticipates more strenuous practices in the future but knows she will always love band.

“Band is one of my favorite things,” Duncan said.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary or silent auction donation or needing further information on attending the event can contact Mary Paris at paristeach2@gmail.com or Laurie Zelinski at llduncan@bellsouth.net.

Tickets can be purchased online at homewoodal.csiepay.com.

Local businesses that have contributed to the Marching  Patriots’ fundraising efforts:

AKA Girl Stuff

Alabama Goods

All Around Town Catering

aLoft

Another Broken Egg

Applause Dancewear

At Home

Burr & Forman, LLP

Café Iz

Crown Automobile

D1 Fitness

Demetri’s BBQ

Dorothy McDaniel’s Flowers

Edgewood Frame Shop

Eighteenth Street Orientals

Freshfully

Gary Asher Drum School

GianMarco’s

Hunter’s Cleaners

Jack n Jill

Jinsei Sushi

Lee Anne McCalley, Artist

LeeAnn Allen

Let’s Get Organized

Little Donkey

Little Professor

Magic Muffins

Michael’s Restaurant

Molly Green

Purre Bar

Resa Nelson, Airbonne Consultant

Riviera Fitness

Samford University

Shaia’s

Sikes

Soca Girl

Spain & Gillon, LLP

Steed’s Jewelry

Table Matters

Taco Casa

The Alabama Booksmith

The Sanctuary

The Swanky Stork

The University of Alabama

Total Skin and Beauty

UPS Store, Homewood