Terry Pottmeyer
The finest clothing made is a person’s skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.  ~Mark Twain

This forum article is about the marching band at Mercer Island High School.

You’ve probably read quite a bit about the band lately. They marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade three years ago, they played in China two years ago, and in December they were knocking on doors all over the Island, collecting six tons of foods for our local food banks.

Our Mercer Island High School marching band has done an outstanding job of representing our community locally, nationally and internationally. The band directors estimate that the band has been seen and heard by over 40 million people in the past three years. They are a talented, hard-working and dedicated group of young people, led by some of the most gifted and inspirational music educators in the country.

Now, they need our help.

Our current band is marching in uniforms originally purchased in 1979, the year that ESPN was launched and Jimmy Carter was our president. Thanks to countless volunteers, the program has kept the uniforms going, and going and going.

But there are limits to what old buttons, safety pins and duct tape can do. Our uniforms are mildewed, stained and worn. The colors run, and the wool fabric soaks up rain at an alarming rate. The shakos (band lingo for hats) are broken, too small and misshapen.

To be honest, we’d probably continue to use the current uniforms if we weren’t faced with a wonderful challenge for the 2009-2010 school year, when the band is expected to grow to 300 members (the wonderful part). That means we have to buy 30 more uniforms (the challenge).

Purchasing expensive uniforms custom made to match those held together with tape and hope is just not a good idea. Prudence and good sense dictate that we replace the uniforms instead, buying lightweight, well-constructed and updated uniforms for everyone.

In October, we launched a campaign for the new uniforms. We have had an encouraging response so far to our campaign. We’ve received donations from families with students in the band program from grades 5 through 12, from parents of alumni, from community members, from student groups at MIHS and from band alumni themselves, some of whom were in the band in 1979 and who are now watching their children march in the very same uniforms.

With all of this great support, we are excited to report that we are halfway to our campaign goal. But we still have a long way to go.

This forum article is a heartfelt appeal to you, members of the Mercer Island community, to support the new uniform campaign. Your donation supports an outstanding fine arts education, a positive and engaging program that includes over 25 percent of our high school population, and the terrific young people of our community.

For additional details and donation information, visit our Web site at www.mihsband.com. Thank you for your support of our youth.

Terry Pottmeyer is a member of the Band Uniform Campaign Committee and the proud parent of one current and three alumni marching band members. See page A8 for a handy coupon.