The Pride of the Golden Isles Glynn Academy Marching Band has had a long tradition of excellence that began in the 1950s with great band directors like Robert Barr. Later, in the 80s and 90s, John Cordell brought the Glynn Academy Band to the forefront of marching band excellence. Now, under the direction of Christopher Duke, the band is marching to a sweeter beat—they’ve been invited to participate in the Allstate Sugar Bowl halftime performance in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2016.
“We got a phone call from WorldStrides Heritage Performance inviting Glynn Academy Band to participate in the Sugar Bowl,” says Duke. “We were chosen by a selection committee. We will be the only band from the state of Georgia.” WorldStrides Heritage Performance programs set up performing travel opportunities and introduce a broad range of exciting music and performance opportunities for educators, instructors, and students nationally.
Glynn Academy Marching Band
The Band members have completed 3 grueling weeks of summer band camp and are currently practicing every week to put together a space themed show. They will perform this show at football game halftimes, competitions and the Sugar Bowl. As part of the Sugar Bowl halftime the band will participate in a fantastic performance that involves more than 1000 students from across the country.
The five-day trip to New Orleans will cost $800 per student. Most of that expense is for transportation and hotel; but the cost also includes performance expenses, tickets, food, and a couple of activities for the students. “We want to give the kids the best opportunity on this trip. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we want to make it amazing.” Duke expressed.
The Glynn Academy Band is now raising funds for the trip through a few different activities to help keep costs down for all of the students. The band is currently selling $10 Dining Cards that give you 10% off your bill when you eat at any of the participating restaurants. Individuals can donate as generously as they’d like by making an online contribution through the Band’s gofundme page at gofundme.com/GAMarching-band. On October 17, Glynn Academy Band is hosting a charity golf tournament at Sea Palms Resort on St. Simons Island. The tournament is a 4-man scramble and includes prizes and a raffle with a grand prize of 4 tickets to ANY U.S. TPC golf course (up to an $1800 value). Businesses or individuals can sponsor a hole and/or register a 4-person team to play in the tournament. For more information about all the fund raising events, please contact Madeline Ingram at 912.222.7721 or email at glynnacademyband@gmail.com. Let’s give our young musicians a little Sugar!
